Today I’ve decided to talk about one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. In my fall semester of my senior year, I interned at a courthouse. I got my internship through an elective career and internship class I applied to be in at the end of my junior year. The program is all about getting you an internship at somewhere in the career field you have interest in. I am majoring in criminology, and also wish to go into the legal field and potentially be a lawyer.
I interned at the Halfmoon Town Courthouse, a courthouse in a town about half an hour from where I live. I learned so much at this internship about many different career choices.
On some days, I would spend the day in the office with the town clerks, and learned how to do paperwork. I even got access to the DMV website and got to file a bunch of strangers parking tickets, or open plea letters addressed to the judges, or suspend peoples’ licenses with too many unpaid tickets
On court nights I’d sit with the judges. Wednesday nights were criminal court nights and Thursdays was traffic court. Traffic court had a lot more things like parking or speeding violations, and a lot of DUIs. Criminal nights were definitely my favorite, when inmates wearing jumpsuits were actually bussed from their prisons to have their cases overseen by the judge. I also witnessed a few people come before the judge intoxicated or under the influence when it was so obvious it was hard to watch. I became close with all of the staff there. One of my funniest memories was when one of the inmates was wearing neon orange crocs that matched his jumpsuit and the DA pointed it out to me. Not only did I get to sit with the judges and learn a bunch of cool new laws that were unknown to me, I also got to spend time with the ADA and the PD. Both let me sit in on negotiations and also conversations with clients(some inmates while still handcuffed).
Overall it was a great experience that also increased or reiterated my interest in the criminal law field. I am also glad to have had both such a great opportunity while also working with such great people, they actually invited me to their holiday dinner party which I brought my dad to which was really fun!
That’s awesome to hear about! I’m really interested in law too, so it’s great to hear about your experiences in and around a courthouse.
This sounds like such a great experience! it’s cool that you got almost an inside scoop to how these things play out in court.
This sounds like such a great experience! It sound very helpful for learning about what you want to do in the future.
First of all, I loved your title this week. It really caught my attention and drew me into your post. I also think that your internship sounded really cool and I’m sure it was always interesting. That’s such a perfect place for you to work especially because you want to go into the field. Overall, I’m jealous of your experience haha 🙂
I’m actually so jealous, I thought about doing a program at my school that was similar, but it didn’t fit into my schedule. I guess even when in prison, you still have to look your best!