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About the Role

The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Investigative Services Unit has unpaid part-time internship opportunities for the Fall 2026 term. This intensive, hands-on program begins September 14, 2026, and runs until December 3, 2026. Interns will carry their own caseloads, partner with others for field investigations, and receive mandatory training in various aspects of criminal defense and investigation.

Responsibilities

• Locate and interview complainants, witnesses, defendants, and other relevant parties
• Investigate crime scenes and other relevant locations
• Document scenes via photographs, video recording, diagrams, or measurements
• Create crime scene sketches/diagrams/maps
• Prepare written summaries of investigation results via our case management system
• Conduct background checks, internet research, and social media investigations
• Accompany defense players to crime scenes and relevant locations and assist in their cases
• Locate and secure surveillance footage from varying locations and buildings
• Communicate daily with defense team
• Provide accurate, detailed reports on investigations and support other necessary documents (e.g., chain of custody, witness statements, investigation summaries, etc.)
• Travel within assigned borough as well as out-of-borough via mass transit
• Communicate with other members of staff/team to effectively analyze and discuss cases
• Review detailed and voluminous discovery
• Locate clients and communicate with clients as needed
• Serve subpoenas, motions, and other legal documents as needed

Requirements

• Enrolled in an accredited educational institution pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in good standing
• Ability to attend mandatory training courses and participate in the program from September 14, 2026 to December 3, 2026
• Commitment to racially and socioeconomically oppressed communities
• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with all members of the staff
• Strong writing, research, computer technology, social media, and communication skills required
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines and to think critically
• Applicants should indicate their preferred trial office assignments in their cover letter
• Must submit a Cover Letter and Resume as a single combined PDF

Skills

• Criminal Defenses
• Interviewing Techniques
• Constitutional Law
• Ethics for Investigations
• Memorializing Interviews
• Social Media Research
• Discovery Reform
• Investigative Techniques
• Writing
• Research
• Computer Technology
• Social Media
• Communication

Location

• The Bronx
• Brooklyn
• Manhattan
• Queens
• Staten Island

Work Type

• Part-time
• In-person
• Unpaid

Education Level

• Undergraduate degree
• Graduate degree

Salary/Compensations

• No salary

About the Company

• The Legal Aid Society is the largest, primary, and oldest public defender in New York City, dedicated to delivering justice and improving the city by protecting the rights of the marginalized and disenfranchised.
• The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation.
• We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs.

Equal Opportunity

• As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.