2026 3L Student Practice Act Internship
Job Number: 321
Salary: $21/hour
Department/Office: District Attorney
Division: District Attorney's Office
Location: 6450 S. Revere Pkwy, Centennial, CO, 80111
Job Type : Temporary
Posting Date: 01/12/2026
Closing Date: 01/17/2026
The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we're here for our neighbors on their best days-and their worst. We share our residents' goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we're proud to call home.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:
The 3L Student Practice Act (SPA) Internship Program receives law student applicants who will have completed two full years of law school prior to their internship start date. The SPA internship program is the first step towards a career as a prosecutor within the DA's Office.
Unparalleled Experience
Our SPA Internship program provides hands-on courtroom experience in the prosecution of criminal cases under supervision. Interns appear in court to argue motions and sentencing matters, conduct jury trials, and negotiate plea dispositions with defense counsel and self-represented defendants. Responsibilities include participation in all phases of trial practice, including voir dire, opening and closing statements, and direct and cross-examinations. In addition, interns review active criminal cases, consult with victims, and negotiate plea offers, with full-year interns typically conducting an average of 13 jury trials prior to licensure
Future Investment
Upon completion of the SPA internship program in May, we look to extend job offers to deserving interns prior to taking and passing the bar. Unlike many other offices, we do not wait until after bar results to offer employment to deserving interns. Once these SPA interns who have been offered employment take and pass the bar, they have a job waiting for them. In the past 6 years, 92% of interns who completed a year in our SPA internship program were offered a job with our office before they graduated law school.
Training
We designed our SPA internship program to equip our interns with the skills and knowledge to seamlessly step into a full criminal caseload and try jury trials solo the day they pass the bar. In addition to the extensive experience each SPA intern gets handling real criminal cases, we provide weekly trainings, daily guidance and supervision from deputy district attorneys in the courtroom, and one-to-one mentorship from the County Court Chief Deputy District Attorney. Our Chiefs are seasoned trial attorneys, experienced in handling some of the highest profile cases in the state, and versed in cutting edge trial presentation and technology.
Part of Our Team
Our SPA interns are NOT an afterthought, crammed together into a cubicle, using shared computers, and excluded from opportunities afforded deputy district attorneys. Our SPA interns are an integral part our team and we treat them as such. They get an office, a laptop, and join in with county court deputy district attorneys for meetings, trainings, and gatherings.
DUTIES:
Under the supervision of licensed deputy district attorneys, interns handle a docket of either or both traffic and misdemeanor cases. This includes initial and on-going case review (including to ensure provability and to ensure information is properly made available to the defense), follow-up with law enforcement agencies, negotiations with defense counsel, meeting with witnesses and victims, motions and trial. Issues arising out of county court (traffic and misdemeanor cases) are briefed in the District Court.
Deputies spend a considerable amount of time in court and professional judgment is critical. This includes but is not limited to trying cases and establishing that elements of a crime have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Trials consist of jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and closing arguments. Interns are expected to demonstrate appropriate demeanor and professionalism in court.
Interns research and respond to a wide variety of defense motions, including motions for the suppression of evidence. This also involves preparing motions on behalf of the People.
REQUIREMENTS:
Skills, Abilities and Competencies:
Ability to advocate legal and factual scenarios in a clear and persuasive manner to judges and jurors.
Ability to rapidly assess cases for strengths versus weaknesses and aggravators versus mitigators to determine just and ethical dispositions that are within policies promulgated by the District Attorney.
Ability to recognize situations warranting potential policy/procedure exceptions, and the ability to effectively advocate for alternative resolutions.
Ability to react quickly and appropriately in court to defense objections, oral motions, court inquiries and rulings, and presentations/responses from defense attorneys and witnesses.
This position involves the ability to effectively process and dispose of a high volume of criminal case filings while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, defense attorneys, prose defendants, victims, witnesses, judges, court staff, law enforcement and related agencies' personnel, press/media
Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):
Accountability
Accessibility
Inclusivity
Integrity
Education and Experience:
Candidates are required to currently be attending law school and must be qualified to practice under the student practice act prior to starting the 3L Student Practice Act Internship. See C.R.C.P. Rule 205.7.
Experience: None
Supplemental Information
Timeline for application:
We accept applications and hire interns for the 3L Student Practice Act Internship Program beginning in December of a student's second year in law school for a spot in the Internship Program for the following Summer semester (when the student becomes eligible under the student practice act). We continue to accept applications throughout the second and third year of law school.
For students attending a law school not in Colorado and who desire to work in Colorado as a prosecutor after graduation, we also accept applications for the summer semester only.
Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:
Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
Possession of a valid Class "R" Colorado Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.
During the summer semester, 3L Student Practice Act Interns work 35 hours per week. During the fall and spring semester, 3L Student Practice Act Interns work 8 hours a day, 2 or 3 days a week. Accommodations to this schedule can be made, however. Please list and discuss any accommodations required during your interview.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Spends 90% of the time sitting and 10% of the time either standing or walking.
Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.
Definitions:
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.
** Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.
** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.
Employee Benefits Summary Brochure (https://files.arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Benefit_Summary.pdf)
Nearest Major Market: Denver
