tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post113772608771063046..comments2008-12-13T19:00:19.461-08:00Sanchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686004050555359974noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1156307019828623572006-08-22T21:23:00.000-07:002006-08-22T21:23:00.000-07:00Sancho:<BR/><BR/>Great to read your blog. Thanks for the links and inspiration. I am an Oregon special education teacher thinking about becoming an investigator.<BR/><BR/>Again, thanks,<BR/><BR/>Jeff BramlettJeff Bramletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207243733987889534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1138183293506563472006-01-25T02:01:00.000-08:002006-01-25T02:01:00.000-08:00WOW! Thanks Sancho for the friendly reception, the thoughtful response and the good info. I also really appreciate hearing the comments and suggestions from others as well - thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply.<BR/><BR/>I will definitely follow up on the ideas provided here. I'm particularly interested in checking out any internships (paid or unpaid) I might be able to get into. I don't care about doing grunt work, as long as I have a chance to learn and perhaps get my foot in the door. It's great to hear that may be a possibility - or at least that it's being done elsewhere.<BR/><BR/>Fortunately (or actually UNfortunately - depending if you're an optimist or not) I'm used to being broke for now. I'm on TANF (please don't hate me, I despise it, too) and am working with Voc Rehab to get retraining. I've committed the next year to my studies and am prepared for an unpaid work experience if need be. <BR/><BR/>I have a question for all of you out there in the field. I often surf the Portland IndyMedia website because its a forum for local activists and frequently has info related to civil rights and indigent defense. I posted a question there asking if there was a group or "cause" who might need volunteer help related (however remotely) to legal defense. <BR/><BR/>Boy, did I get an ear full from a couple of people. Basically, the gist was that "trainees" shouldn't be messing around with an indigent's clients' future. Here's the link:<BR/><BR/>http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/01/331277.shtml?discuss<BR/><BR/>This post then inspired another (by the same rather rabid individual) entitled "Public Defenders should go on strike":<BR/><BR/>http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/01/331593.shtml<BR/><BR/>I, obviously, don't agree with the negative sentiments expressed in these posts. But I was wondering what you all had to say about this. Do you often face such harsh criticism from your clients and/or the public in general? <BR/><BR/>Sorry this is so long. Thanks for your time and input. <BR/><BR/>MegMegnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1138127176998831972006-01-24T10:26:00.000-08:002006-01-24T10:26:00.000-08:00Too bad you don't live in Indianapolis -- <A HREF="http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DOA/HR/Employment/Public+Defender.htm" REL="nofollow">they're hiring 10! defense investigators right now</A>.ambimbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988931967129798181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1138051601190148852006-01-23T13:26:00.000-08:002006-01-23T13:26:00.000-08:00We have a Investigative intern in our office. He has no experience and is doing a lot of grunt work but it's a foot in the door. He did a non-paying intern first and now has a six month paid internship. You might see if the OR defenders would be open to that (though I know few single mothers who have time to volunteer)<BR/><BR/>from Kelly/FDEWIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1137771770260690382006-01-20T07:42:00.000-08:002006-01-20T07:42:00.000-08:00I would have the same recommendations as you Sancho, but add to it that working with a private firm is a great way to get some experience as well. I began through an internship (unpaid) with the PD. Networking with my supervisor landed me a job with his brother in the PI field. Wanting desperately to get back to working for the indigent, I applied at the first opening. My old supervisor put in good words for me and lo and behold, I was the chosen one. Good luck to all who too dream of this career. In addition, look into volunteer work with things such as the Innocence Project...MagnumPInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1137771266575732262006-01-20T07:34:00.000-08:002006-01-20T07:34:00.000-08:00Nice of you.libralindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01560042464203748873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1137742210391623372006-01-19T23:30:00.000-08:002006-01-19T23:30:00.000-08:00No Prob Greg. I should have mentioned in my post that at my office (and many counties in California), we routinely hire interns that we worked with also. Best way to get your foot in the door.Sanchovillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09686004050555359974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1137741135264830562006-01-19T23:12:00.000-08:002006-01-19T23:12:00.000-08:00*sniff*Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03749518571286094649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762075.post-1137730405348580272006-01-19T20:13:00.000-08:002006-01-19T20:13:00.000-08:00Sancho: thanks for the mention. I would add that in Colorado we often have paralegal students as investigator interns. Not only is it a good way to get in the door, but we often hire former interns when we have openings, because we know them and how they approach the work.Greghttp://www.pdinvestigator.netnoreply@blogger.com