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The Public Defender, Sara Mollo, believes that zealous advocacy stems from the desire to make our community a better place for everyone. In doing so, it requires education, compassion, experience, and the ongoing effort to grow as advocates and community members. This is why the 6th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office is the best place to begin your career in advocacy as an attorney, legal assistant, law student, or staff member. At PD6 we believe in justice and liberty for all our clients, our community, and protecting the rights afforded to us by the Constitution.

Internship / Externship

What it is:

      • An opportunity to apply your legal education to real world issues, as supervised by practicing attorneys. Students will have the ability to learn the basics of what it means to be an Assistant Public Defender in the 6th Judicial Circuit by seeing the daily tasks and legal issues that come up in real criminal cases. Students will begin their work at PD6 with an in depth look at what it takes to represent a client with pending criminal charges, including case analysis, discovery review, legal issue spotting, and case law research, alongside of an Assistant Public Defender. Students will be required to shadow attorneys in day-to-day tasks. Students will research and draft legal motions and memorandums in collaboration with a licensed attorney.
      • Ideally suited for students looking to get legal pro-bono hours during the summer after their 1L year.

Requirements:

Students who have completed their 1L year requirements, specifically:

      • Criminal law
      • Constitutional law
      • Two semesters of research and writing
      • Students must be willing to work a minimum of 20 hours a week.

Applications:

      • Students may apply for the position during their 1L Spring semester for the following semester.
      • To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and a schedule of your summer availability to apply@co.pinellas.fl.us
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Law Clerk

What is it:

      • A paid clerking position with PD6. A more in-depth opportunity to apply your legal education to use with real clients, as supervised by practicing attorneys. Students will have the ability to practice the basics of what it means to be an Assistant Public Defender in the 6th Judicial Circuit. Students will be able to actively work on cases, including opening files, reviewing discovery, discussing legal issues with practicing attorneys, drafting motions, negotiating case dispositions, and preparing cases for trial.
      • Ideally suited for students who have completed an externship with PD6.

Requirements:

Students who have completed their 1L and 2L year requirements, specifically:

      • Criminal law
      • Constitutional law
      • Two semesters of research and writing
      • Students must be willing to work a minimum of 20 hours a week.

Applications

      • Students may apply for the position during their 2L Spring semester for the following semester.
      • To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and a schedule of your summer availability to apply@co.pinellas.fl.us
Email Your Resume

Public Defender Clinic

What it is

      • The ultimate opportunity to apply your legal education to use with real clients, as supervised by practicing attorneys. Students will have the ability to work with clients, speak on the record in pretrial hearings, and even run trials as a Certified Legal Intern at the 6th Judicial Circuit. Students will be involved in all aspects of representing clients with pending misdemeanor charges.
      • Ideally suited for students in their 3L year of law school.

Eligibility Requirements:

      • Successful completion of four semesters and at least 48 credit hours;
      • Be in good academic standing;
      • Successful completion of Professional Responsibility, Evidence, Trial Advocacy, and Criminal Procedure (Criminal Procedure Investigation/adjudication OR Florida Criminal Procedure OR Federal Criminal Procedure); and
      • Must have received a Notice of Registrant Clearance from The Florida Board of Bar Examiners or expect to receive one at least eight weeks before participating in a clinic program.

Program Requirements

      • 213 hours per semester;
      • Weekly classroom component;
      • Weekly case review sessions;
      • Multiple reflective papers.

Applications

      • Submit a completed application by the appropriate deadline (for more information, visit our Clinics and Externship page); and
      • Timely submit additional documentation as required for this program. (Students are notified of additional requirements after applying and being provisionally placed in the program.)
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