Criminal Law & Trial Internship Day 2!

The first morning of the Criminal Law and Trial internship started bright and early at 7 am with our team leads dressed up in silly costumes, blaring music through the hallways, and successfully energizing the sleepy interns! Inflatable sharks and pink gorillas roamed the halls as interns headed to the lounge to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Once the interns were dressed and ready for the day, they headed to the classroom to hear from Heather Pinckney, who talked about her exciting and challenging job as the Executive Director of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia! Heather spoke to the interns about all the different departments of PDS, their roles, and their impact. Following a short break, the interns met with Brandi Harden for an official introduction as the attorney on their cases. Brandi shared some really interesting cases that she is currently working on and opened the floor to the many questions that the interns had for her.

After enjoying a fun lunch chatting with the other interns, the interns headed back to the classroom for an introduction to their assigned cases. Brandi explained the case and gave them a rundown of all its important facts. The interns had some insightful and unique questions about the case - so insightful that Brandi noted them down and thanked the interns for giving her new ideas to follow up on! Once they became familiarized with their case, the interns heard from Peter Loge, Director of the GW School of Media and Public Affairs. Peter provided an introduction to advocacy and lobbying by describing the art of persuasion and training interns on how to become masters of it.

Following a short break, the interns returned to Brandi Harden and Heather Pinckney and delved into a presentation on incarceration, race, and reform within the legal system. This session highlighted important societal issues and encouraged critical thinking about the legal system's impact on marginalized communities. Later, the interns met with Judge Adam Hunter, who led a law-school-style session on trial advocacy basics: direct and cross-examination. Through an interactive session, interns learned about witness preparation in anticipation of their session at the end of the week.

After a long day of valuable educational sessions, the interns enjoyed a well-deserved dinner, allowing them to relax and unwind. The final session of the evening was a Behind Bars Panel led by Courtney Stewart, Founder of the National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens. During this panel, formerly incarcerated individuals shared their experiences transitioning from incarceration to freedom, providing valuable insights into the challenges faced by those reentering society and the importance of supporting their successful integration.

Finally, after their meetings and sessions, the interns had free time to explore the beautiful city of Georgetown. With numerous exciting locations to choose from, they had a fantastic time taking in the sights and enjoying some sweet treats. The first two days of the Criminal Law & Trial Internship were undoubtedly a resounding success, providing valuable knowledge and experiences that will shape their future legal careers.