Name: Logan Ward
Class Year: 2022
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Garden City Park, NY
Internship Organization: Nassau County Supreme Court
Job Title: Nassau County Supreme Court Intern
Location: Mineola, NY
Why did you apply for this internship?
I applied to this internship to gain more courtroom experience and to further my understanding of the court system, along with trial experience. Additionally, I was excited to meet other students who are interested in the criminal justice system.
What’s happening at your internship?
My supervisor is Judge Teresa K. Corrigan, and she is the supervising judge. As the supervising judge, she watches over fifteen judges and ensures that the court is running smoothly. Each day of my internship is different. Judge Corrigan is in Criminal Court, so I’ve watched all kinds of cases, including but not limited to armed robbery, rape, and murder. The most interesting case so far was a murder case, where the defendant pleaded guilty. As a psychology major, I found this case particularly interesting because of the role the defendant’s psych evaluation played in his hearings and sentencing.
Since I intern in a courthouse, I was only able to take a picture of Judge Corrigan’s courtroom when it was empty. When I watch court proceedings, I sit with my co-intern, Matthews, in the jury box. Judge Corrigan sits at the bench, the People argue their case from the left table while the Defense plead their case from the right table. The court clerk sits at his desk and is always present; he is considered the most important person in the room (his desk is to the right of the judge’s chair). Likewise, the court reporter is always present, she makes record of everything (her desk is to the left of the judge’s chair). The court clerk and court reporter follow the court, which means they’re assigned to specific courtrooms, not judges. However, Judge Corrigan also has a legal secretary and a personal secretary, which are personal hires, so they follow her.
While court is in session, one sergeant and two court officers are present. When an incarcerated defendant needs to appear in court, they are transported to the court in the morning and placed in a holding cell downstairs until their case is called. Once their case is called, the two court officers bring the defendant to face the judge, a process called “producing” the defendant. However, defendants are not always present, so the defense counsel and/or judge determine when it is necessary to “produce” the defendant.
In addition to watching court proceedings in Judge Corrigan’s courtroom, I sit in other judges’ courtrooms as well. Therefore, I’ve had the opportunity to watch two trials (a DWI case and sex case), numerous pleas, and a couple of sentencings. In the sex case trial, the victim is a blind seven-year-old girl, and the defendant is the victim’s uncle. This trial was very emotional, especially when the victim testified. In the DWI case, the defendant consumed alcohol, Xanax, and marijuana and caused a car accident. During the trial, the prosecution called a toxicology expert to testify. This was interesting because he described how these drugs interact with the human body and each other.
Other than watching court proceedings, my co-intern and I read case files and provide Judge Corrigan with our opinions for sentencing. Basically, we read over a defendant’s case file and try to determine what sentencing we think is appropriate. We then tell Judge Corrigan and work together to settle on the most appropriate sentence.
Although Judge Corrigan works in Criminal Court, as an intern I am allowed to watch similar proceedings in Matrimonial Court, Family Court, and Surrogate Court.
What has been your biggest challenge and your favorite part of the internship?
The biggest challenge I have faced at my internship is handling my emotions. Many of the cases we see are emotionally taxing. It is helpful that I have my co-intern to discuss everything with as things are happening, and then we discuss everything with Judge Corrigan afterwards. Debriefing at the end of the day is my favorite part because Judge Corrigan always asks for our opinions and helps us look at things from a more unbiased perspective.
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.