The Criminal Prosecution Clinic – New York County (CPC-NY) engages students in the prosecution of criminal cases in conjunction with the Manhattan District Attorney (DANY). The course begins with a six-week intensive training program. Afterwards, students begin fieldwork devoting three full days per week.

Students will work in the Quality of Life part of the Criminal Court under the supervision of experienced ADAs.

Students will conduct investigations and prepare discovery, appear at court calendar calls, engage in motion practice, prepare cases for hearings and trials, and conduct hearings and trials.

Once fieldwork commences, the seminar will meet weekly for two hours and will include case rounds, skills training, substantive criminal law and procedure, ethics and professional responsibility as necessitated by the students’ case work, and consideration of existing policies and procedures and proposed systemic reforms in the criminal justice system.

In the fall, students will receive 7 credits. The course begins with an intensive six-week training program. Afterwards, the seminar will meet weekly for two hours and students begin fieldwork devoting three full days per week. In the spring, students will receive 6 credits. Fieldwork will continue on a three full-day a week basis, and the seminar will continue to meet once a week for an hour and forty minutes

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 28 hours per week on the course including fieldwork and seminars in the fall semester.  In the spring semester, students should expect to commit a minimum of 24 hours per week.

The course is graded on a letter basis. Material covered in this clinic are tested on the New York Law Exam (NYLE).

Approved for the Experiential Learning Requirement. Enrollment is limited. Registration is binding. Application and interview are required, and the application can be found in Student Resources on the NYLS Portal.

Recommended for the Following Professional Pathways: Criminal Prosecution; Family Law; Government/Public Sector; Immigration; General Practice – Litigation/Dispute Resolution

Prerequisites: Criminal Procedure – Investigation; Evidence; Advocacy of Criminal Cases or Trial Advocacy; Professional Responsibility – Criminal Practice

Co-requisites: Trial Advocacy is mandatory in fall semester, if Advocacy of Criminal Cases or Trial Advocacy were not previously taken; Professional Responsibility: Criminal Practice is mandatory, if not previously taken; Criminal Procedure – Adjudication is optional either semester

13 Credits: Full Year Course
Fall: 7 credits
Spring: 6 credits