State Attorney’s Legal Internship Program

The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is represented by The Honorable Monique H. Worrell and serves Orange and Osceola counties in Central Florida. A culturally diverse community, the area is home to nearly 1.4 million residents and is a vacation destination for millions each year. Our office is committed to making Orlando and the surrounding area a vibrant and safe place to live, work and play.

​The mission of the State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is to promote public safety by using data-driven methods to hold offenders accountable, provide restorative justice for victims, and redirect children and people in need of services, in an effort to build stronger, safer communities. We aim to achieve the highest standards of ethics and competence in order to promote a fair and equitable legal system. We are guided by the American Bar Association’s standards for the function of a prosecutor.

Download the Application

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Eligibility

Applicants are eligible for the State Attorney’s Legal Internship Program if they meet the following criteria: 

• Currently enrolled in a college, university, or law school
• Able and willing to work at least 25 hours/week.

Application Deadlines

• Fall 2022: Applications will be accepted through July 15, 2022.
• Spring 2023: Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2022
• Summer 2023: Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2023.

Application Process

• Complete the Application Packet, along with a resume and cover letter indicating if you are requesting to volunteer, intern/extern for credit or if you are seeking a Certified Legal Internship. You will send your completed packet to ASA-Recruiting@sao9.org.
• We do not offer any type of payment or stipend for interns/externs.
• Non-credit interns need to provide proof of good academic standing.
• Interns are responsible for ensuring all education credit requirements are met, applied for, and followed.
• Outside employment should not conflict or overlap with your time at our office.
• Approved candidates will be required to attend a Placement Orientation.

Placement Procedures & Orientation

Candidates will be notified of their acceptance once background checks are completed and paperwork is submitted. The specific number of internships available shall be pre- determined each semester based on office need. Interns shall be asked, as part of the application process, to rank their top two potential office placement choices. After acceptance to the SAO Internship Program, all interns must undergo orientation. An orientation will review SAO policies and procedures, distribute identification badges for building access, and IT training. Interns may not start work until they have completed an orientation.
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• Important Note: All prospective interns will be required to undergo criminal background investigations to include FCIC/NCIC, driving history and must be fingerprinted. In accordance with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement guidelines and the FBI CJIS security policy, any reported felony conviction or any misdemeanor conviction occurring within three years of application will be immediate grounds for denial of access to CJIS, and the applicant will not be considered for an internship. Any other charges will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Information

Keisha Mulfort
Director of Public Affairs
Office of the State Attorney, 9th Judicial Circuit
415 North Orange Avenue Orlando, FL 32801
KMulfort@sao9.org | ASA-Recruiting@sao9.org

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Certified Legal Interns

​Certified Legal Interns (CLIs) are authorized by the Florida Bar, Chapter 11 (Rules Governing the Law School Practice Program), to practice law under the supervision of a licensed attorney. CLIs must complete all requirements of the Florida Bar prior to being certified and beginning their internship. CLIs are recruited through accredited law schools. The prerequisite courses designated by the law school for the prosecution clinic are essential. CLIs are placed in our County Court or Juvenile Divisions. County Court Divisions conduct bench trials and jury trials of misdemeanor and traffic offenses. Juvenile Divisions conduct bench trials of misdemeanor and felony level offenses. CLIs will be assigned to work with particular attorneys and will learn the skills necessary to handle a criminal case from start to finish. These skills include preparation of discovery and responses to pre-trial motions, arguing motions in court, handling arraignment dockets, and prosecuting non-jury trials. CLIs are strongly encouraged to seek out opportunities to prosecute cases before a jury. Court hearings are held on different days of the week and part-time CLIs do not get the benefit of handling all aspects of a case.

Law School Students – Legal Interns/Extern for Credit

​Legal Interns are those who have not been certified by the Florida Bar. Legal Interns cannot speak on the record or practice law. Legal Interns are assigned to an attorney or division and will shadow that attorney to learn the legal process. They will be given work assignments, such as legal research, reviewing jail calls, and assisting in the preparation of discovery documents. These assignments will be reviewed by the assigned attorney. If placement is for course credit, they are expected to complete the minimum hours set by the law school for the awarding of credit. Those not seeking credit should be available a minimum of two days per week. Legal Interns may request their preferred assignment in our Felony Divisions, and we will make efforts to accommodate their request. Legal Interns may also request a specialty division such as Major Crimes, Economic Crimes, Sex Crimes Division, or our problem-solving courts.

Undergraduate Students

​We have limited placement opportunities for undergraduate students. Undergraduate student interns will assist as needed. Tasks may include: photocopying, running files to court, clerical work and observing court.

Communications Interns

​We are currently seeking motivated, energetic, and highly organized individuals as communications interns. We seek student interns with a strong academic background with interests in communications, government policy, and interaction between a government agency and the local community. The intern will work directly with our Public Affairs team. Interns may interact with the community on behalf of the office in a professional capacity. Communications, marketing, graphic design, public relations students, graduate students, or undergraduate students may apply. Applicants will be expected to complete a minimum of a 20- hour workweek.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a related BS or Masters university/college
• Proficient understanding of various social networks
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, AP writing style preferred
• Efficiency in MS Office Suite
• Marketing and communications majors in junior and/or senior year of college

 
Duties May Include:

• Public Affairs
  • Researching legislative/regulatory issues
  • Managing and tracking of community calendar
  • Attending and/or participating in community meetings or events
  • Assisting with communication and social media campaigns
• Public Relations/Marketing
  • Building and maintaining media lists
  • Drafting and editing press releases, newsletters and media materials
  • Tracking and clipping press coverage
• Social Media
  • Assisting in writing social media short-form posts, blog articles, and other content copy
  • Assisting with the creation of social media graphics
  • Organizing user-generated content from social media channels and dedicated hashtags or keywords

 
By the end of a successful internship, the intern will receive a letter of recommendation for future employment or graduate school.