Students witness the criminal justice system first hand, obtain experience in handling criminal cases, and provide a valuable service to their clients and the Commonwealth. The program consists of a field work component and a classroom component. In the classroom, defenders are taught the multiple aspects of criminal representation, including the role of defense counsel, investigation of cases, negotiation and plea bargaining, direct and cross examination, opening and closing statements, preparation of witnesses, drafting and arguing suppression motions, how to handle ethical dilemmas, and dispositional advocacy, among others.
Students develop trial skills through role playing exercises.
The Suffolk Defenders represent people charged with misdemeanors in the general District Courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. They provide their clients total representation in all phases of the court process, including arraignments, bail hearings, suppression and discovery hearings, pretrial conferences and plea negotiations,trials and sentencing. Law reform efforts are encouraged. Defenders are given responsibility for conscientious and thorough representation of their clients, and in addition to their classes, have weekly interviews and bi-weekly small section meetings with their supervisor. Supervisors give immediate feedback about students performances together with concrete suggestions for improvement.