Overview

Undergraduate and graduate students may participate in our Investigations Internship Program. Our teams of professional defense investigators are critical to the protection of civil liberties for those accused of crimes. Interns may assist defense investigators in visiting crime scenes, interviewing witnesses, observing court hearings, taking crime scene photographs, and serving subpoenas.

Investigative interns volunteer in both our Adult Criminal Divisions and our Juvenile Delinquency Divisions. The Adult Criminal Divisions have offices in Downtown San Diego, Vista, Chula Vista, and El Cajon. The only location for the Juvenile Delinquency Division is in Kearny Mesa. Addresses can be found on our “Locations” page. Indicate the locations you can work at in your cover letter.

All Investigative Interns are volunteers who receive invaluable on-the-job training and experience. Some students may receive academic credit for the internship program from their school.

Requirements

• Applicants with a degree (or currently majoring) in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Sociology, or Pre-Law are    preferred, but no specific experience is required other than a desire to aid those accused of criminal offenses.
• Interns must volunteer a minimum of 12 hours per week for 4 (four) months, or around 200 hours.
• Interns must pass a San Diego County security background check.
• Interns must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Application Process for Investigations

Application Packets are accepted at any time via the email below. Interviews for the Summer and Fall seasons occur in April with possible additional interviews in July. The Winter and Spring seasons interviews take place in November. Applicants who miss an interview season can be considered for the next. The numbers of positions available vary and the Department has about 30 investigative interns at any given time.

Submit an Application Packet [consisting of; Coversheet/Questionnaire, resume, letter of interest, and current (unofficial) transcript] to the Investigative Internship Program Coordinators at PDI@sdcounty.ca.gov. Applications should be submitted by email, when possible. Otherwise, mail it to San Diego County Public Defender’s Office, Care of APD Chief Investigator, Pascual Benitez, 451 A St, Suite 1200, San Diego, CA 92101.

Please indicate if you speak another language on your resume and/or cover letter.  Rank your preferred work locations on the Coversheet/Questionnaire.

For more information or questions about the Investigative Internship Program, please contact the Investigations Internship Program Coordinators at PDI@sdcounty.ca.gov.