Cassidy Jensen '26

My experience this summer has been invaluable, as I saw every single stage of the legal process in Erie County, from the initial arrest to a plea or trial. I was grateful to be able to assist at almost every stage. I completed paperwork alongside several assistant District Attorneys at arraignment. I learned about bail, and how there are qualifying and non-qualifying bail offenses, as well as different types of bail. I  learned about the different types of hearings and when they are held. I was able to assist in the discovery process, watching bodycam footage and reviewing discovery documents.  My writing skills were put to the test as I drafted motions, certificates of compliance, and 710.30 notices. I observed court proceedings from arraignments, felony hearings, motion arguments, and full trials. I attended several jury trials, where I observed the rules of evidence, opening and closing statements, as well as direct- and cross-examinations. It was rewarding to see how the process all comes together at a jury trial.

Through the Erie County District Attorney's Office summer intern program, I was able to attend tours of the Erie County crime lab, holding center, and crime analysis center. The ability to see how all these different offices perform and function with the District Attorney's office within Erie County helped me understand the entire process and how well these agencies work together, as well as how important each agency is. I also had the opportunity to attend a speaker series at the U.S. Attorney's office. I was grateful to be able to hear from attorneys from different practice areas every week and what their work consists of in that specific practice area. This was helpful to me as I was able to see the wide range of careers available as an attorney. The Erie County District Attorney's office had speakers as well- current assistant District Attorneys, District Attorney's office bureau chiefs, and Erie County judges. I learned a lot from all the speakers I had the opportunity to listen to and this helped me gain insight into potential jobs and the kind of work that is performed by those individuals.

It was fulfilling to see victims of crimes and their families get justice. Working alongside victims and victim advocates, I got to see just how much support is provided to these individuals during some of their hardest times. It was sometimes upsetting to see individuals who have gone through such trauma to relive it and tell their story, especially when they were on the stand. However, I found it very impactful, and I was grateful to the victims for recounting their experiences to shape the outcome of the case. Like victims, it was also valuable to see witnesses tell their stories to help fit all the pieces if the case together. Watching a good Samaritan testify to help provide justice to another individual, who was sometimes a stranger to them, was very powerful. I found the public service aspect of the job as a whole extremely rewarding.

Another aspect of this experience that impacted me the most was that every attorney had a different path that eventually led them to public service. I had the opportunity to speak to dozens of attorneys throughout this experience and talk to them about their path to law school and what led them to their current position. It was reassuring to see that everyone has a different path and that career paths may change. As a law student, it was invaluable to interact with current attorneys and ask them questions about their careers, work- life balance, and their paths that led them to public service. The dedication to and passion for public service was something that I saw in every single individual that I had the opportunity to work with, and that was unforgettable.

I would like to thank the donors of the Terry M. Richman Fellowship for their generosity and this opportunity. It has allowed me to strengthen my passion for public interest and expand my knowledge of criminal law, for which I am extremely grateful. Through this program, I have strengthened my legal research and writing, interpersonal skills, and found a passion for this area of the law.