Diana Denisova '26

I interned for the Erie County District Attorney's Office and was assigned to City Court this summer. I started every day in court, observing arraignments and listening to bail arguments. Through this experience, I learned about the various types of bail and factors weighed into consideration by the judges.

Throughout the summer, I assisted ADAs in preparing questions for felony hearings and drafting answers for motions to dismiss. Felony hearings require the prosecution to establish reasonable cause that a crime occurred and that the accused likely committed it. I was allowed to draft the questions for a testimony presented by an officer.

What I enjoy about criminal law is that there is ample room for creativity. Many of the issues raised have no precedent to follow. I was given a research project involving such an issue, requiring such creativity. The ADA believed it was a strong enough argument to raise in court and we ended up winning the motion. Much of my day-to-day assignments included watching body-worn footage and filling out 710.30 notices, which provided notice to the defense regarding statements made by the defendant to police officers. I was able to assist ADAs with their workload as well by contacting witnesses/victims.

This opportunity was a reminder that this is not a law school hypothetical issue spotter but real life. The crimes being prosecuted do have a lasting impact on victims and it is critical to know how to speak to each unique individual. Many victims of heinous crimes must relive what was likely the worst day of their lives and a prosecutor's role is to stand beside them while they do it. If there is one thing that this internship left me with, it is that there is far more to criminal law than the law itself. Aside from being a voice for the victims, I was also able to see how the ADAs ensure fairness for the defendant. In many cases involving drug charges, the court system offers programs aimed at rehabilitation. For younger offenders, similar services are provided to redirect defendants away from crime and offer another outlet. This may not be true for all offices but Buffalo City Court is not centered around the goal of punishment in all instances.

This internship taught me far more than can fit into 2500 characters. I am looking forward to continuing to learn in the spring and eventually working alongside the ADAs as an attorney.

I was most impacted by the human aspect of the law that the Erie County District Attorney's Office handles. The people that I came in contact with, from arraignments through to sentencing, are all people whose lives have been changed. In most instances, a defendant's family, children, and friends were present in the courtroom. It is difficult to see the emotional reaction of a mother whose child is now in the system. On the other side, friends and family of the victim are also present to provide support for the victim. It is similarly difficult to imagine how their lives were impacted by this.

During my internship, a homicide unit prosecutor talked to us about how she handles vicarious trauma. This theory involves "second-hand trauma" that is caused by exposure to traumatic events. This is what makes criminal law far more difficult than other areas. Mental health is emphasized throughout the office and observing the felony trials that I did, made it obvious as to why. For victimless crimes, I felt a similar feeling of empathy for defendants. Some of the defendants that were being charged with lesser offenses were suffering from mental health issues, drug addiction, or homelessness. I would like to believe that they are not necessarily criminals but people needing help. We do have frequent re-offenders who commit simply because jail offers warm food and a bed.

There was always emotion in the courtroom, whether it be from the defendant, victim, friends, or family but it was difficult to ignore. However, there were more positive emotions as well. Some defendants successfully completed their drug rehabilitation program. Others relied on services provided by our office and found employment or enrolled in school. For victims, it was rewarding to see justice be served. A guilty jury verdict may not make a victim or their family whole but it does offer what our justice system is designed to provide. Our support, closure, and punishment for wrongful doings.

I would like to express my sincerest thank you to the generous donors of the Fran and Cindy Letro Fellowship for making this experience possible. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to spend my summer in court. I learned far more than what a classroom can offer and created various connections with our legal community in the process. As a first-generation law student, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside very amazing attorneys and get a glimpse of what my future will hopefully look like. Thank you again for your generosity!