LEGAL

INTERNSHIPS

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) offers a legal intern program which provides meaningful opportunities for law students and law graduates who have not been admitted to the New Jersey Bar to participate in the operation of a busy prosecutor’s office responsible for “the detection, arrest, indictment and conviction of offenders against the laws.”  N.J.S.A. 2A:158-5.

At present, the MCPO consists of 39 attorneys, 58 detectives and agents and an administrative support staff.  The MCPO has primary prosecution authority over indictable criminal offenses committed within Mercer County.  Unlike some other states, prosecutor’s offices in New Jersey do not handle DWI cases, minor criminal offenses or traffic violations, except as ancillary to indictable prosecutions.  The MCPO handles thousands of criminal matters each year, from death-penalty murder trials to appeals from municipal court speeding convictions, and related matters including civil forfeitures and Megan’s Law (sex offender notification) proceedings. 

Mercer County is a sophisticated and dynamic jurisdiction having a heterogeneous population of approximately 329,000 persons residing in 13 diverse municipalities, including an urban core, the City of Trenton, suburbs, such as Princeton, and rural areas. 

First-year legal interns handle a variety of legal research and writing assignments, including appellate, motion and municipal appeal briefs and miscellaneous legal memoranda. 

Interns having completed their second year of law school receive similar research and writing assignments; however, such interns also are eligible to appear in court, under supervision, on behalf of the MCPO, representing the State of New Jersey.  Pursuant to our program, certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, interns may present cases before Mercer County grand juries and handle selected juvenile matters in the family court.  Interns also cover “routine” court matters, including bail hearings and reconsiderations, arraignments, guilty pleas, sentencings and the like.  Moreover, interns may argue motions of all types, including those requiring evidentiary hearings, and may argue municipal appeals.  In short, all proceedings, other than plenary trials, may be assigned to interns. 

Finally, all legal interns have the opportunity to watch court proceedings and observe the day-to-day workings of the MCPO, learning from and sharing experiences with the legal, investigative and support staffs. 

All first-year internships are unpaid.  Three summer interns who have completed their second years are paid a modest salary.  All other advanced internships are volunteer only.  However, the MCPO cooperates with all law schools regarding “for credit” internships and “work/study” programs.  Internships are available during semesters as well as during the summer. 

Interested persons should send a letter and resume to Angelo Onofri, Administrative First Assistant Prosecutor, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, P.O. Box 8068, Trenton, NJ 08650.   The application process for all interns also requires a personal interview, the filling out of a comprehensive questionnaire and successful completion of a background investigation. 

Anyone having additional questions may contact Administrative Assistant Prosecutor Onofri  ((609) 989-6311/ aonofri@mercercounty.org).

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