Public Defenders Interview

For starters, I wish I hadn't stayed up until 4am brainstorming future topics for this blog and wish I had spent the time refreshing my knowledge of criminal procedure! That interview was by far the hardest interview I have had thus far. Luckily, as of now I have two standing offers: one at the attorney general's office and another at the DA's office. I really hate to admit it but I don't think that interview went too well - it was very unconventional in my opinion.

First, they set me up in a room all alone, they gave me a #2 pencil, a notepad, a timer and a HYPO!!! Needless to say I was definitely not expecting that. After my time was up I was brought back to a room and introduced to a nice, friendly older man (a professor type - very educated). He conducted the entire first 15 minutes of my interview in spanish. I was definitely caught off guard, my parents speak Spanish and I lived abroad in Spain for 6 months but I haven't spoken a word of Spanish in over 2 years. After the Spanish session concluded he proceeded to drill me with case holding, asking what I thought of Mapp v. Ohio and asking me to fill in the blanks on "famous" phrases from criminal procedure case holding. Again, fail. I've only had 2 weeks of criminal procedure and my lack of knoweldge definitely showed. After I attempted to charm my way out of obviously being oblivious to criminal procedure he proceeded to quiz me on criminal law. He asked me for the penal code definition of burglary. I tried my hardest to remember back to last fall and criminal law but we were allowed to use our notes and the model penal code on our final so I never memorized anything. Fail #3. Although, I will admit my attempt at the definition of burglary was pretty darn close. Interestingly, they did not allow me to interview with my former professor. Looks like I will more than likely be interning at the DA's office this summer.

On that note, I don't know whether its better or worse to intern at the DA's office. I want to be a criminal defense lawyer in the future (although that may change). I'm weary that once you work for one side it will be hard to transition to the other. Oh well, I guess only time will tell. I will update tonight as promised my tips on interview etiquette and attire. I also plan to update tomorrow a list of 10 things I wish I knew as a 1L. Lastly, if we're lucky I'll share a ridiculous picture of a classmate that will be sure to invoke a few laughs, shock and second hand embarrassment. Stay tuned.