Organizational Background:
Open City Advocates (OCA) provides youth-centered legal defense and holistic advocacy for young people after sentencing in the DC juvenile justice system and works for systemic improvements to the juvenile justice system, both locally and nationally, to better the lives of marginalized children and youth.
OCA provides mentoring-enhanced lawyering to youth who have been committed to the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). We tackle racial inequity in our youth justice system where it is most extreme, as 100% of youth who are committed to DYRS are youth of color. Based on the knowledge we gain from our direct client services, we then spearhead systemic reform efforts to end the revolving door of the youth and criminal justice systems, safeguard and expand due process protections, and encourage individualized, trauma-responsive services for court-involved youth. In 2020, the DC Court of Appeals ruled in our favor in our longstanding impact litigation case, In re N.H.M., 224 A.3d 581 (2020). As a result of this decision, youth in DC’s justice system now have a clearly established right to an attorney throughout their commitment to DYRS.
To actualize this right to counsel, OCA has supported the launch of DC Family Court’s new Post-Commitment Juvenile Attorney Panel. Through this panel, OCA’s staff attorneys provide specialized, court-appointed representation to youth committed to DYRS.
Position Overview:
The Legal Intern will work with our staff attorneys by engaging in direct client contact, legal research, and policy reform. The intern’s time will be dedicated to three main areas: 1) supporting our court-appointed representation of youth clients who have been committed to DYRS, 2) providing direct reentry support services to young adults transitioning back to DC after a period of youth or adult incarceration, and 3) engaging in local policy discussions and drafting recommendations.
Key Functions & Responsibilities:
This position will report directly to Open City Advocates’ Legal Director, Raymond Ngu. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Assist with individual and family advocacy for youth, such as attending meetings for youth under supervision, attending court and administrative hearings, and assisting youth with program enrollment and supervision compliance.
• Attend misdemeanor and felony (adult) court hearings, liaise with defense attorneys, and draft letters in support of release requests and sentencing hearings.
• Conduct research and draft motions to support the representation of our court-appointed youth cases.
• Attend and potentially represent youth during disciplinary hearings at DC’s youth facilities.
• Conduct research on community supports and programs for returning citizens.
• Shadow staff at coalition meetings and policy forums about current issues affecting DC’s juvenile justice system, and draft summary memos and recommendations.
Schedule:
• Fall 2024 semester, approximately 10-15 hours/week
• Flexible schedule
• Interns should expect to be in the office (810 7th Street, NE) during at least part of the week
• For externship credit or as a volunteer
• Currently a law student in Washington, DC.
• Experience working with at-risk youth, grassroots organizations, community organizing, and/or political advocacy is a plus.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the youth and/or criminal justice system. Other favorable experience includes an understanding of youth law, prisoner reentry issues, poverty law, education law, or the child welfare system.
• Interest in being exposed to DC’s youth and adult criminal justice systems, including DC’s secure and semi-secure youth and adult facilities.
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and at least two professional references as a single PDF to Raymond Ngu at [email protected]. Rolling deadline, with start date in September 2024.