To learn more about the Clinical Curriculum and Registration, please visit our Clinical Registration Center.
You can also find more information on How to Register for Clinics and How Clinical Credits Work.

For more information about this clinic, please visit the Clinic Website, Clinic Q&A and OCP Blog Highlights.

Enrollment in this clinic will fulfill the HLS JD pro bono requirement.

Open to 3Ls only

Required Clinic Component: Criminal Prosecution Clinic (4 fall clinical credits + 1 winter clinical credit). This clinic and course are bundled; your enrollment in the clinic will automatically enroll you in this required course.
Additional Co-/Pre-Requisites: Trial Advocacy Workshop (TAW) and Evidence. Students must enroll in both TAW and Evidence. Enrollment is seperate from their clinical registration.
By Permission: No.
Add/Drop Deadline: August 18, 2023.
LLM Students: International students on F-1 student visas are required to have Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization; LL.M. students are not eligible for CPT.
Multi-Semester: This is a fall-winter course (2 fall classroom credits + 1 winter classroom credit).

Please Note: This course will start meeting after the conclusion of fall TAW.

This course will focus on the role of and decision-making by the prosecutor in the criminal justice system, with particular attention to the exercise of discretion by the prosecutor in investigation, charging, plea negotiation and sentencing recommendation decisions. It will also involve an examination of the lawyering skills involved in case analysis, interviewing witnesses, and negotiation, and other aspects of case handling and courtroom advocacy, in the context of the District Court.

During the fall and winter terms, the class will consist of one three-hour class per week, in addition to the clinical assignment.

A clinical practice component is required of all students. Students must have at least two full days in their schedule free from 8am to 5pm for the clinical component. Clinical placements are with the Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, or Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Under the supervision of assistant district attorneys, students work a minimum of twenty hours per week to represent the Commonwealth in prosecuting District Court criminal cases. While student experiences vary, students are likely to handle arraignments, bail hearings, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, pleas and trials. Some students may handle a jury trial. Clinical placements will begin immediately after the completion of the fall Trial Advocacy Workshop. Readings will consist primarily of multilithed materials. Students are required to keep a journal relating to their fieldwork experiences and to prepare several short practical skills exercises.

This course satisfies the HLS Professional Responsibility requirement.