The Criminal Prosecution Clinic is a four-credit, one-semester course offered in the spring that provides eligible second and third-year students with a rigorous and intensive exposure to criminal prosecution practice through a combination of actual trial practice and classroom work. Students are assigned to work in the State's Attorney’s Office of Montgomery County, Maryland, where they prosecute criminal cases in the circuit and district courts.

After a short orientation, students are given a docket of cases for which they are responsible. Under the supervision of an assistant state's attorney, the students engage in plea bargain negotiations and try criminal prosecutions to the court or, in some cases, to a jury. In addition, students have many opportunities to evaluate different styles of lawyering by watching criminal trial lawyers in action. To supplement and refine their practice experience, students attend a weekly seminar in which they discuss their pending cases and what they have encountered in court. Students must be eligible for certification under the Maryland Student Practice Rule. Students must also have completed courses in Criminal Procedure and Evidence.

Students enrolled in the Criminal Prosecution Clinic complete their casework and attend clinic seminar classes at the State’s Attorney’s Office of Montgomery County, MD. The office is located a short walk from the Rockville metro station at 50 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850.

Registration Information

 To register, students must complete the application form and submit it to Dean Bryan McDermott at mcdermottb@law.edu.

Preference in allocation of spots will be given as follows:

First: Students who applied before and were not admitted to the clinic.*
Second: Students who have not yet had a clinical experience.
Third: Other third-year students.
Fourth: By the date & time of submission of their pre-registration form.**

*Across all categories, 3D and 4E students are given priority.
**Admission will be in the order of the date of submission of completed forms, so be sure to turn applications in as soon as possible.

Questions? Email Dean McDermott at mcdermottb@law.edu.