The goals of this externship course are to develop practical litigation skills; to give practical experience in researching legal topics; and to increase understanding of the criminal litigation process, especially as it relates to how lawyers representing defendants in that system develop the case, identify a strategy for litigating the case, and implement that strategy. Students will be expected to complete 100 hours of work under the supervision of the Lexington DPA Directing Attorney in addition to a classroom component. The expectation is that a very significant proportion of student work will be accomplished under the student practice rule in cases before the Family Court and Juvenile Court, and in District Court misdemeanor cases. Enrollment is limited to three students and is by application only.

PREREQUISITE: Law 890 (Evidence).

Practice in court in this externship is only open to students who are eligible for admission to the Kentucky bar under Supreme Court Rule 2.540, the limited student practice rule. A student is eligible for admission under this rule only if, at the time the course is taken, the student will have completed 60 hours of law study (59 hours for students who will be receiving credit for co-curricular courses). Students registering for this course must complete and have notarized a legal intern application form prior to the end of the examination period preceding the semester for which the student will be taking the course The application is available on the law school website (under “Current Students”) and from the Registrar’s office.