1L: Unpaid Prosecutor v. $15/hour Public Interest Forum

[Anonymous User]

Ok, I'm a 1L who is dead-set on trying to get work as a prosecutor after graduation. I accepted an unpaid internship with the county attorney's office in the state I want to practice in over the summer; however, I was just offered a $15/hour paid position with a legal aid public interest group.

Is showing the dedication to crim law more valuable than the $15/hour position?

Factors to consider:
The county attorney's office said they typically only hire prosecutors who were past interns. In my eyes, it would be a huge advantage for me to be able to show 3 summers with the same position.

If the smarter thing is to go with the public interest position, will I burn any bridges with the county attorney's office who offered me an internship? I'd hate to be screwed down the line by backing out.

I'm barely top half. My stats aren't great. I have no idea how I snagged a paid position. (These were the only two interviews I went on.)

[hiima3L]

"I'm a 1L who is dead-set on trying to get work as a prosecutor after graduation."

You have your answer.

[rad lulz]

Don't ditch the prosecutor's office you want to work for especially when they hire their interns

[RSterling]

0L disclaimer

Does your school provide funding for public-sector summer positions? It might not be too different than what you'd make at $15/hr

In any case: if the prosecutor only hires interns and you're dead set on being a prosecutor, this is a no brainer.

[worldtraveler]

This isn't even a question. Take the prosecutor's office and decline public interest.

I've never heard of legal aid paying a 1L before.

[sccjnthn]

I accepted an unpaid internship with the county attorney's office in the state I want to practice in over the summer; however, I was just offered a $15/hour paid position with a legal aid public interest group.

Is showing the dedication to crim law more valuable than the $15/hour position?

Factors to consider:
The county attorney's office said they typically only hire prosecutors who were past interns. In my eyes, it would be a huge advantage for me to be able to show 3 summers with the same position.

If the smarter thing is to go with the public interest position, will I burn any bridges with the county attorney's office who offered me an internship? I'd hate to be screwed down the line by backing out.

I'm barely top half. My stats aren't great. I have no idea how I snagged a paid position. (These were the only two interviews I went on.)

This too. If you gave them your word you're going to work for them not sure how you could back out unless there's a way to split the summer.

[bk1]

+1 to everything above.

[ManOfTheMinute]

This is a dumb thread.

[dr123]

This isn't even a question. Take the prosecutor's office and decline public interest.

I've never heard of legal aid paying a 1L before.

the legal aid org I used to work at paid 1L interns before the LSC budget was slashed, now they only have clinical interns.

[Lord Randolph McDuff]

Is showing the dedication to crim law more valuable than the $15/hour position?

Yes. Do DA this summer and next, then extern during 3L in your local DA office. Take all the crim pro classes 2L. After that, just tell your summer office you'd like to do a post-bar internship after you are done with school and awaiting bar results.