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Investigator Intern Program

The Defender Association is seeking volunteers for our Investigator Intern Program.

The Defender Association provides legal representation to indigent and low income clients. Our office represents individuals in criminal matters, as well as in civil proceedings involving liberty interests (civil commitment and dependency cases). Typically, investigators are used in the criminal divisions of the office-misdemeanors, felony and juvenile--although we occasionally handle limited investigations in other divisions of the office.

Volunteer internships are a part of the Defender Association. Without the Investigator Intern Program, our office would not be able to investigate cases to the same degree or in the same numbers that we currently do. It is a definite asset to our clients, especially in the misdemeanor division, to be able to investigate as high a percentage of cases as we do. Our office also offers internships in social work and criminal law(for students in law school.) The demands placed on interns are significant. Hard work, stress, and frustration are common to all of the internship positions. The chance to develop professional skills, gain experience in the field of criminal law and defense work, and handle a significant amount of responsibility, make all of the internship programs competitive and rewarding.

The Investigator Internship Program began in 1981. Since that time, more than 1500 interns have participated. At the beginning of each quarter, approximately 8 to 10 interns are accepted into the program. All investigator intern positions are volunteer. Academic credits are offered by most colleges and universities for the internship. The Investigator Internship Program is competitive, especially during the summer session. Therefore, it is to your advantage to complete the application and return it promptly.

A staff of 90 attorneys relies upon a dedicated and responsible group of investigator interns to assist them in preparation for trial. Interns take an active part in their cases by conducting interviews with witnesses, victims and police officers, photographing and/or diagraming crime scenes, locating witnesses, checking criminal records, serving subpoenas, and gathering other relevant information. If the work completed by an intern is satisfactory during the first quarter, they may continue with the program additional quarters. The average length of an internship is three to six months, with many interns remaining for a year or longer. An intern must work a minimum of twenty hours per week, spending half of their time in the office, and the remainder in the field.

Please call (206) 447-3900 ext. 692 with any questions.

Download the application form

Job Description

Title
Investigator Intern
Purpose of position
To perform pretrial investigation for staff attorneys representing indigent and low income youth and adults.
Responsible to
Intern Supervisors and individual staff attorneys.
Volunteer Job Description

Defense investigators are the eyes and ears for the attorneys. An investigator may be asked to: photograph or diagram a crime scene, check criminal, medical, or other records of witnesses or clients, interview witnesses, police officers, and victims and write concise reports from each interview, subpoena defense witnesses, and be available for testimony at time of trial.

The investigator intern is required to confer with the staff attorneys and his/her supervisor throughout the investigation to exchange information. The intern must maintain strict confidentiality regarding any information gathered during the investigation.
Length of internship

Positions are available for three months or more, with a minimum commitment of 20 hours a week. The time commitment is divided into office hours and field work. Office hours are scheduled over three or more business days each week between the hours of 8-5pm. Field work is scheduled based on the availability of witnesses involved in our cases. For new interns, the internship starts with a mandatory six business days of training from 1-5pm each day.

Location
The Defender Association's main office is located at 810 Third Avenue, Room 800 of the Central Building, in Seattle, Washington. We are within approximately three blocks of all of the Seattle courts, with the exception of the Juvenile, Civil Commitment, and Kent courts.
Qualifications
Because of the seriousness of each case and the importance of maintaining the high standard of legal representation in our office, each intern must be reliable and demonstrate initiative in their work. Assertiveness, self-confidence, and well-developed interpersonal skills are necessary. Interns must be willing to work hard and to work in high crime areas. Interns must display excellent judgment and be able to "think quickly on your feet." Interns should have college level writing skills, the ability to organize their work, and an understanding of advocacy in criminal defense work. Good investigators are people who thrive on challenges and problems presented by their assignments.
Finances

Interns are responsible for finding their own housing if coming from out of state.

Interns intending to use a vehicle for Defender business must get insurance with bodily injury limits of $100,000 for any one person, and $300,000 for any accident, property damage of $50,000, and business use coverage.

The Defender Association will reimburse up to $100 every six months if your rates increase due to the increased coverage for business use. The Defender Association currently reimburses $.37 per mile for Defender use. Reimbursement is normally paid twice monthly. Records should be submitted to the Intern Supervisor for authorization to the accounting department.

If you do not have a vehicle and intend to use the bus, the Defender will reimburse for the purchase of a bus pass.

School Credit
School credit is usually available for college students. The normal procedure is to contact your advisor at your institution before applying to the program.
  • By admin at 07/21/2008 - 23:26