Prosecution Clinic

3 - 5 Credit Hours

(variable credit enrollments available: requires 42.5 hours per credit)

Overseeing Professor:
Christine Cerniglia, Associate Professor and
Director of Clinical and Experiential Education
[email protected]

Adjunct Professor(s):
Frank Piazza and Amelia Hummel 
6th Judicial Circuit 

Program Description:
Students in the Misdemeanor and Juvenile Divisions will actively participate in the criminal justice system and perform the functions of a prosecutor through all facets of prosecution, including filing charges, performing investigations, responding to discovery, and conducting jury and non-jury trials. Students will further develop core competencies in advocacy skills and substantive knowledge required to serve as assistant state attorneys through a combination of experiential learning and classroom instruction.

Students in the Child Welfare Division will represent the State of Florida in civil dependency cases dealing with child abuse, abandonment and/or neglect. Students will appear in court, draft petitions and proposed orders, and attend staffing. The Child Welfare Divison works with Protective Investigators from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Case Managers from the community based care programs and Guardian ad Litems.  

Placement Locations:
• 6th Judicial Circuit (Criminal Justice Center, Clearwater: students select between Juvenile, Misdemeanor, and Child Welfare Divisions)

Program Requirements:
• 42.5 hours per credit;
• Weekly classroom component which meets on campus Mondays from 4:55 p.m. - 5:55 p.m. (summer session meets at Criminal Justice Center);
• Multiple reflective papers.

Eligibility Requirements:
• Successful completion of four semesters and at least 48 credit hours;
• Be in good academic standing;
• Successful completion of Professional Responsibility, Evidence, Trial Advocacy, and one upper-level Criminal Procedure course (Florida Criminal Procedure OR Federal Criminal Procedure [adjudication or investigation]); and
• Must have received a Notice of Registrant Clearance) from The Florida Board of Bar Examiners or expect to receive one at least eight weeks before participating in a clinic program.

Application Requirements:
• Submit a completed application by the appropriate deadline (for more information, see our clinics and externships page); and
• Timely submit additional documentation as required for this program. (Students are notified of additional requirements after applying and being provisionally placed in the program.)

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Additional Video