During the summer, I had the opportunity to intern at the District Attorney’s Office of Montgomery County, specifically in the ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition) unit. The ARD office functions as a part of the pretrial unit and carries out the ARD program, which offers specialized treatment for first-time offenders of some minor offenses such as driving under the influence. The assistant district attorney and fellow staff in charge of the ARD unit are responsible for reviewing application forms, contacting victims for opinions, and ultimately assessing the nature of the crimes committed to determine whether offenders should be admitted into the program.
Those accepted into the ARD program are required to complete a maximum of two years of probation, pay assigned restitution, and typically fulfill 24 hours of community service. Successfully fulfilling all requirements allows participants to submit a request for expungement to ask for a dismissal of their criminal record. However, failure to meet some of the obligations, including timely restitution payment, or being arrested or cited by the police department again during probation, may result in the revocation of the offender’s case.
The ARD program was entirely new to me, but I found it fascinating due to its operational mechanisms. It offers a second chance for those who acknowledge their mistakes, demonstrate a commitment to personal growth, and seek to reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens. However, it also sheds light on how easily and frequently individuals may break the law through careless actions and how large the caseload is for the district attorney’s office to deal with. In addition, the most common form for ARD participants to complete their community service hours is by serving in local non-profit organizations. This method could hold significant meaning, as working in non-profit organizations exposes them to new perspectives as being a part of the community, and allowing them to learn from the efforts of others.
As an undergraduate intern without prior professional knowledge of law, I was involved in various paperwork and filings. My daily job includes filing revocation motions and expungement paperwork, sending out victim letters, and checking community service hours. In addition, the internship program also offers the opportunity to observe court hearings, join field trips, and participate in training sessions, which is fun and meaningful.
This internship enabled me to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the community I live in. I was able to see the aspects that are typically hidden from the public eye. Also, I was able to learn and develop through firsthand observations of how the legal system functions and how laws work in practice.
As someone who is considering attending law school, I viewed this internship as an opportunity to experience working in the legal field. It proved to be a challenging endeavor, particularly in adapting to a new environment within a short period of time. The workplace emphasized more the need for networking and effective communication, which could be highly stressful at the beginning. Throughout this summer, I regard this internship as an opportunity to enhance these skills and I am grateful for the supportive and professional nature of my fellow interns and supervisors.
In terms of seeking a summer internship, I believe all opportunities would hold value even if it is uncertain at first whether your interest meets this particular field. By challenging yourself in the work environment can you truly test your interest. I also encourage reaching out to resources like CCPA for assistance and guidance in finding internships earlier as possible, while keeping track of deadlines and keeping in mind the possible types of funding opportunities. In addition, since I started the internship, I have kept a journal to record my reflections, even if it could be as simple as three sentences a day when I spend the entire day in the office doing filing work.
I am excited to observe more trials and continue learning during my internship in the ARD unit of the Montgomery County DA’s office. I extend my gratitude to CCPA for providing the funding that has made this unforgettable opportunity possible.
