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Writing Sample Advice for PD's offices

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:31 pm
by ceereeus420
So I am applying to my local PD's office and they requested a writing sample. I have two different options, but I'm not sure which would be best.

First, I have a prosecution memo that I wrote my 2L year. It is a well written objective memo that discusses what charges the DA should and should not file against a defendant.

Second, I have a brief of a motion to suppress physical evidence that I wrote during my 3L criminal defense clinic. This is obviously more in accord with what I would do in the PD's office, but the problem is that the arguments are not strong. For example, one argument was that the officer lacked probable cause to pull a vehicle over for speeding because his radar equipment left room for human error (guy was going 89 in a 45 mph zone.) The facts were not in our favor at all, so we just had to make the best with what we had.

Does anyone know what a PD's office would rather see as the sample?

Thanks a lot.

Re: Writing Sample Advice for PD's offices

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:55 pm
by encore1101
What are the other arguments for the criminal defense motion? Feel free to PM. I ask because I think the practical/persuasive writing sample would be better unless your memo shows morelegal analysis than simply looking at the statute (i.e. looking at legislative history, case law interpretations, etc).

Re: Writing Sample Advice for PD's offices

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:17 pm
by Displeased
ceereeus420 wrote:
Second, I have a brief of a motion to suppress physical evidence that I wrote during my 3L criminal defense clinic. This is obviously more in accord with what I would do in the PD's office, but the problem is that the arguments are not strong. For example, one argument was that the officer lacked probable cause to pull a vehicle over for speeding because his radar equipment left room for human error (guy was going 89 in a 45 mph zone.) The facts were not in our favor at all, so we just had to make the best with what we had.

Does anyone know what a PD's office would rather see as the sample?
I've go with the second motion, precisely because the facts aren't in your favor. Roughly 95% of the time as a PD, you'll be making very flimsy arguments with both the law and the facts against you. A memo that showcases that you can and will make those arguments is more useful than a generic writing sample.

Besides I don't think PD's tend to read writing samples too thoroughly, they read them mostly just to confirm that you are literate and can write cogently.