Overview:

Undergraduate and paralegal students may participate in our Paralegal Internship Program.  Our team of paralegals serve a crucial role in the protection of constitutional rights for the accused.   Interns may assist paralegals and attorneys in writing motions; communication with clients/family members; legal research; arraignment court and assistance with trial preparation. 

Paralegal interns can volunteer in both our Adult Criminal Divisions and our Juvenile Delinquency Divisions.  Information on our various divisions can be found above. The Adult Criminal Divisions have offices in Central San Diego (Downtown), 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 Paralegal 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.

Internship Requirements:

•         Applicants with a degree (or currently majoring) in Criminal Justice, Political Science,                                              Sociology, a paralegal program or Pre-Law are preferred.

•         Interns ideally volunteer a minimum of 12 hours per week for 3 (three) months.

•         Interns must pass a San Diego County security background check.

Application Process for Paralegal Interns

Application Packets are accepted at any time, but active recruitment happens twice a year.  Interviews for the Summer/Fall season occur in mid-May.  The Winter/Spring season interviews take place in mid-November. Applicants who miss the interview season are added to a waitlist.  The numbers of positions available vary.

Submit an Application Packet [consisting of; cover letter, resume, and current (unofficial) transcript] to the Paralegal Internship Program Coordinators PDP@sdcounty.ca.gov.  Applications should be submitted by e-mail, when possible. Otherwise, mail it to San Diego County Public Defender’s Office, 451 A St, Suite 900, San Diego, CA 92101.

Please indicate if you speak another language on your resume and/or cover letter.

If you are available to work at locations other than Downtown, please mention that in your cover letter.

For more information or questions about the Paralegal Internship Program, please contact the Paralegal Internship Program Coordinators at PDP@sdcounty.ca.gov.