Current law students and those looking to pursue a career in the legal system are encouraged to contact the Office of Fourth Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk and inquire about Pro Bono hours or volunteer opportunities in the Investigations Unit.
“Hands-on, real world experience is invaluable in today’s job market and it is an impressive qualification on a resume to show a history of performing investigation functions for a criminal law firm such as the Public Defender’s office,” said Shirk. “We have upwards of 60,000 cases per year so there is never a shortage of work. I invite those looking for volunteer, public service opportunities or Pro Bono hours to contact my office.”
The volunteer in the Public Defender’s Office Investigation Unit is primarily concerned with the client interview, but may possibly be involved with:
• Performing online research
• Conducting interviews of witnesses, victims
• Accompanying staff to crime scenes to gather evidence
• Processing evidence for cases and sometimes trials
• Constructing court exhibits for criminal trial proceedings
Individuals interested in this type of volunteer work should contact the Office of the Public Defender either by phone or email to get started. Investigator Andrew Ewing coordinates the program; he can be reached at (904) 630-1579 or AET@PD4.coj.net. Mr. Shirk indicated that law students who enlist may be afforded Pro Bono hours through their law school and that his office will coordinate accordingly.
The Fourth Circuit Public Defender’s office consists of Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties and is centered in Downtown Jacksonville. The function of the court-appointed Defender came into existence in 1963 following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon vs. Wainwright, holding that the U.S. Constitution required the state to supply lawyers for those criminal defendants who could not afford to hire counsel. Originally, the Public Defender’s responsibilities were to represent indigents accused of non-capital felonies. Through case law and statutes, the Public Defender’s duties have grown.
“Hands-on, real world experience is invaluable in today’s job market and it is an impressive qualification on a resume to show a history of performing investigation functions for a criminal law firm such as the Public Defender’s office,” said Shirk. “We have upwards of 60,000 cases per year so there is never a shortage of work. I invite those looking for volunteer, public service opportunities or Pro Bono hours to contact my office.”
The volunteer in the Public Defender’s Office Investigation Unit is primarily concerned with the client interview, but may possibly be involved with:
• Performing online research
• Conducting interviews of witnesses, victims
• Accompanying staff to crime scenes to gather evidence
• Processing evidence for cases and sometimes trials
• Constructing court exhibits for criminal trial proceedings
Individuals interested in this type of volunteer work should contact the Office of the Public Defender either by phone or email to get started. Investigator Andrew Ewing coordinates the program; he can be reached at (904) 630-1579 or AET@PD4.coj.net. Mr. Shirk indicated that law students who enlist may be afforded Pro Bono hours through their law school and that his office will coordinate accordingly.
The Fourth Circuit Public Defender’s office consists of Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties and is centered in Downtown Jacksonville. The function of the court-appointed Defender came into existence in 1963 following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon vs. Wainwright, holding that the U.S. Constitution required the state to supply lawyers for those criminal defendants who could not afford to hire counsel. Originally, the Public Defender’s responsibilities were to represent indigents accused of non-capital felonies. Through case law and statutes, the Public Defender’s duties have grown.
