Requirements

All 3rd year law clerks must have completed two years of law school, be currently enrolled for their third year, and be certified by the Supreme Court of Oregon's Law Student Appearance Program pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 13.05 et. seq.  The 3rd year clerk positions are year-long positions.  The positions require full-time summer commitment (40 hours per week).  During the school year, the positions require a 16-20 hour commitment per week.  Clerks must be eligible for work study.

Duties

3rd year law clerks work as functioning misdemeanor Deputy District Attorneys (DDAs).  The primary responsibility of the 3rd year clerk is to be in court.  This includes handling misdemeanor trials and making all types of courtroom appearances in misdemeanor cases.  3rd year clerks attend arraignments, pre-trial conferences, motions, pre-trial evidentiary hearings, change of pleas, sentencing hearings, restitution hearings and probation violation hearings.

These positions provide exposure to felony cases through conducting probation violation hearings.  In addition to intensive courtroom work, 3rd year clerks work closely with misdemeanor attorneys to assist in all aspects of a typical caseload.  This includes trial preparation, intake, charging and extension of plea offers.

3rd year clerks leave the program at the Washington County District Attorney's Office with a thorough and practical understanding of all aspects of criminal prosecution.