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For Immediate Release 42 students test legal skills before Municipal Court judges in moot court Newark, NJ - August 15, 2008 - Mayor Cory A. Booker, Corporation Counsel Julien X. Neals, and Municipal Court Presiding Judge Richard J. Nunes announced that 42 interns participating in the Law Department’s Second Annual Comprehensive Summer Internship Program concluded their six weeks of internship by holding a mock trial in the Municipal Court yesterday, with interns serving as prosecutors and defense attorneys, preparing cases, delivering arguments, and examining witnesses before Municipal Court judges. In two courtrooms, four teams of young lawyers - two sets of prosecutors and two of defenders - tackled the fictional case of “State of Yorktown v. Vazquez,” in which a mother stands accused of stabbing her abusive husband to death, after enduring physical and emotional spousal abuse. The interns were provided with background on the case, information on the fictional state’s domestic abuse laws, and witness affidavits. The interns had to prepare their briefs and arguments, and interview and depose the “witnesses.” The preparation culminated with trials held in Municipal Court Parts Five, before Presiding Judge Nunes, and Seven, before Judge Dion Williams. “This mock trial program gives our young interns an opportunity to take what they have learned about the law, courtroom procedure, and legal work into action, so they can understand the human realities of the complex intellectual profession they intend to enter,” Mayor Booker said. “Tomorrow’s Supreme Court justices and statesmen will manifest their skills first in our Municipal Court in these trials, and I hope they enjoy the experience and continue to pursue and achieve excellence in their academic and professional lives.” After the trials, the students received certificates marking their completion of their summer internship from Corporation Counsel Neals, who joined with Assistant Corporation Counsel Alison Brown-Jones to congratulate the interns. Family members of the interns attended the trial and ceremony, to see their loved ones demonstrate their legal skills. Students participating in the Second Annual Comprehensive Summer Internship Program performed paralegal functions in the department assisting attorneys, including municipal prosecutors, with their duties, pre-trial conferences and actual trials. Interns also attended a law school class and lectures on courtroom procedure, Newark history, resume writing and job interview skills. The interns consist of 11 law school students, six college students, and 25 high school students. “Last year our legal team provided 30 Newark youngsters with an intense and rewarding education in the realities of the law and government,” said Corporation Counsel Neals. “This Summer internship program is continuing to lay the foundations for future generations of legal scholars.” The youngsters impressed the judges: after Judge Williams delivered a not-guilty verdict, he walked down from the bench and told the interns that he looked forward to seeing them in his court as actual lawyers. “You were on point, you were prepared. You seemed to be relaxed and comfortable with yourselves. You took over the courtroom, which is what you are supposed to do. You made this courtroom yours. I see future lawyers here.” After that, he spoke to each intern in turn, offering them comments and congratulations on their performance. Daveon Caldwell, a recent graduate from Atlanta’s Morehouse College, led a defense team in the trials. “I think it’s a good idea to incorporate all the interns, high school, college and law school students in this program. We are all learning the law in a fun and exciting way, “he said. To prepare, he had to brief cases, and study precedent cases to determine how the law applied. Evidence and statements were provided, so he had to pull together the theory of the case. “I examined the witness statements and looked for inconsistencies, points where they contradicted themselves, and decided to focus on those areas. Mock trial preparations were conducted every week leading up to the trial. We practiced direct and cross-examination, and went over our lines of questioning with the lawyers in the Department who were serving as our mentors. I’m thoroughly enjoying the experience,” he said. During the internship, he’s gone to several areas: Municipal Prosecutor for first two weeks, then Civil Litigation for an additional two weeks, and concluded his experience in the Real Estate/Tax Division. “I am getting a little taste of everything,” he said. “I have discovered that there’s a lot more research involved than actual trial work. I’ve learned a lot about the judicial system and Law Departments work. I’ve learned that it’s best to be cordial, to ask questions, and learn from each practice area that I’ve been involved with. Overall, analyzing cases has been the greatest benefit to me.” His advice to other prospective interns: “Be enthusiastic, be eager to learn, and put your best foot forward every day.” |
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