Zachary Miller '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.

I was impacted most by the human tragedy and redemption possible in criminal law. Watching Buffalo City Court in particular exposed me to a side of Buffalo that I did not know existed. Crime is a tragedy for both the victims and the defendants. But among the tragedy were also the strongest and most resolute people I have ever seen. For example, I spent several days watching Buffalo Opioid Intervention Court and saw many people who had issues with substance abuse. Drug use had ruined the lives of many of the people appearing in court, and they still had the strength to come to court and tell the judge about their plans for the week and their plans for their lives moving forward. In other cases, I was able to see how prosecutors and defense attorneys ensured that justice was done through motions, jury selection, direct- and cross-examination, and opening and closing arguments.

Thank you to the donors of the Hodgson Russ Fellowship for giving me the opportunity to pursue my interest in public interest law by taking this internship with the District Attorney's Office. Without your generous support, it would be much more difficult to pay my expenses and I would not have been able to put as much effort into public interest law as I have. This internship was invaluable, and I look forward to continuing a career in public service.