Prosecution Clinic
What We Do
Offered in partnership with the Bronx, Nassau, Queens, and Suffolk District Attorneys' Offices, the full-year Prosecution Clinic allows students to experience the criminal justice system at work – not just by observing, but by prosecuting real cases. Working under the supervision of assistant district attorneys, clinic students handle all aspects of criminal prosecutions, from arraignments to motion hearings and trials.
Offered in partnership with the Bronx, Nassau, Queens, and Suffolk District Attorneys' Offices, the full-year Prosecution Clinic allows students to experience the criminal justice system at work – not just by observing, but by prosecuting real cases. Working under the supervision of assistant district attorneys, clinic students handle all aspects of criminal prosecutions, from arraignments to motion hearings and trials.
Students work 12-15 hours each week at a district attorney's office, prosecuting misdemeanor cases. Students who are placed in the Queens District Attorney's Office work in the Domestic Violence Bureau, while students in other counties prosecute a variety of cases.
Students also meet for a weekly seminar class at the Law School, which covers a number of topics, including:
- The role of the prosecutor
- Prosecutorial ethics
- Plea bargaining
- Motions and hearings
- Discovery
- Jury selection
- Examination of witnesses
- Appeals
During the seminar sessions, students also gain practical experience writing briefs, conducting hearings, giving oral arguments, and examining witnesses. The seminar also provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their work in the district attorney's office.
Our Clinic
The Prosecution Clinic is a two-semester, ten-credit clinic open to second-year and third-year students. Students must have successfully completed Criminal Law. Prior or concurrent enrollment in Criminal Procedure: Investigation is also required. Evidence and Trial Advocacy are both strongly recommended, although they can be taken concurrently with the clinic.
Director
Pishoy Yacoub, Executive Assistant District Attorney, Queens County
Co-Directors and Site Supervisors
Tara Coughlin, Assistant District Attorney, Nassau County
Mary Kate Quinn, Assistant District Attorney, Queens County
When to Apply
St. John's Law students can apply to the Prosecution Clinic during the spring semester for the following academic year.
Application Process
Students apply to the Clinic by submitting an online application and the following materials:
- A cover letter stating your interest in the clinic
- Your current resume
- Your unofficial transcript printed from the Academic Record screen in UIS
Attend an Information Session
To learn more about the Clinic and our application process, we recommend that you attend the Clinical Information Session held in April and October.
Questions?
If you have questions about applying to the Clinic, please email [email protected].