Emma Marzec '26

I worked for the Erie County District Attorney's Office from May 22, 2024, through August 9, 2024. I was placed in the Justice Courts Bureau and worked out of Cheektowaga Town Justice Court. Cheektowaga is the busiest out of all the town courts in Erie County, which gave me and my fellow interns plenty to do.

On Tuesdays and Fridays, I was in Cheektowaga Town Justice Court. My daily activities included filling out arraignment cover sheets, filing court documents, and practicing writing pleas. I assisted in discovery matters, including watching body camera footage and filling out certificates of compliance. I did research projects on novel case law, and I wrote memoranda, motions, and trial scripts for different cases as well. In addition, I called complainants of cases.

On Wednesdays, I gathered with all the other interns for visits and the speaker series with the U.S. Attorney's Office. It was very interesting to learn about different bureaus, opportunities in federal criminal law, and non-legal jobs related to criminal law and procedure.

Overall, I learned about the real-world application of criminal law and how our local criminal justice system operates. Although I worked with the Assistant District Attorney's, I was exposed to the perspectives of the public defenders, Judge Stevens and Judge Wanat, and the court clerks and staff as well.

It was impactful to see prosecution connect with victim advocacy. I've had exposure to criminal defense through working with the Innocence Project as an undergrad, but seeing criminal law from the legal perspective of the People has given me invaluable experience.

I'd like to thank the Buffalo Public Interest Law Program (BPILP) donors for their generosity. I sincerely appreciate the great contribution. Without it, I would not have been able to gain the invaluable experience I received at the Erie County District Attorney's Office. I am happy to attend a school that values and supports its students in their public interest endeavors.