Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office
2 credits.
Prerequisites: Minimum 2.6 cumulative GPA
Note: Per Mercer County policy, all interns must pass a physical and drug test. Physical/drug test is at no cost to intern. Additionally, a criminal background check is performed on each applicant.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office offers meaningful opportunities for law students and law school graduates awaiting bar examination results to participate in the operation of a busy and dynamic prosecutor’s office responsible for “the detection, arrest, indictment and conviction of offenders against the laws.” N.J.S.A. 2A:158-5.

Currently, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office consists of 39 attorneys, 54 investigators and support staff of 60. The office has the primary prosecution authority for offenses committed in Mercer County. The office handles approximately 4,000 indictable offenses each year ranging from murder trials to municipal appeals and everything in between. The office is also responsible for non-indictable domestic violence matters, juvenile offenses, appeals, civil forfeiture, Megan’s Law notifications and serving as the police legal advisor.

Law students who have completed their first year of law school handle a variety of legal research and writing for appellate briefs, motions, municipal court appeals and miscellaneous evidentiary and sentencing questions. These students will also be exposed to the grand jury process and prepare civil forfeiture complaints. Students are encouraged to attend court proceedings including bail hearings, sentencing hearings, suppression of hearings and trials.

Students who have completed their second year of law school are eligible to appear on behalf of the State at bail hearings, grand jury presentations, motion hearings, municipal appeals, arraignments and sentencing hearings. Additionally, these students will also handle select juvenile matters in the family court.

Several law students have argued before the Appellate Division of the Superior Court and prosecuted matters in the municipal courts.

For more information on externship application procedures and deadlines, please visit the Career Services section on myLAW (the Blackboard portal).