(Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office)
Summer law school interns with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office recently participated in mock preliminary hearings.
The goal, according to District Attorney Jennifer Schorn’s office, is for the students to gain hands-on experience in criminal prosecution.
The exercise last Friday at the Bucks County Justice Center involved experienced prosecutors volunteering to portray key roles, including defense attorneys, judges, victims, and police officers.
For second-year law students, the mock hearings simulated the experience of conducting preliminary hearings before local district judges, a responsibility they will undertake later in the program.
First-year interns were exposed to the foundational stages of criminal prosecution and used their growing legal knowledge.
(Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office)The students received important feedback from seasoned prosecutors, the office said.
Interns tackled a range of common criminal matters, including DUI crashes, domestic assaults, and drug and gun offenses.
The interns, who joined the office two weeks ago, are engaged in a 10-week program designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the prosecutor’s role.
According to prosecutors, the mock hearings supplement research and observational opportunities and give key insight into courtroom complexities. The students also learn the early stages of process.
“We eagerly anticipate witnessing their growth and valuable contributions throughout their time with us, and we often look to our talented interns as potential future assistant district attorneys,” the office said.
(Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office)
