Ohio

Should Legal Interns Be Allowed to Represent Felons?

By Cleveland Law Library

The Ohio Supreme Court is considering amending Rule II of the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio to allow law students who become certified legal interns to represent alleged felons or juveniles who are accused of committing a crime that would be considered a felony if committed by an adult. The present Rule allows interns to represent clients at legal clinics, legal aid offices, and public defenders' offices, as well as handle matters involving civil or administrative matters, misdemeanor cases, and juvenile cases (excluding felonies). Under the proposed changes, legal interns would still have to be supervised by a "supervising attorney," but these individuals would have to certify that they would perform all duties required in the Rule. Click here to read the text of the proposed changes. According to the Supreme Court's Press Release, the Court is accepting comments on the proposed changes until October 29, 2008.

Full post as published by Cleveland Law Library Weblog on October 09, 2008 (boomark / email).