2011 Public Service Fellowship Essay Competition
Essay Topic: What should be the role of the prosecutor and the judge in light of Padilla v. Kentucky?
In Padilla v. Kentucky (2010), the U.S. Supreme Court held that defense attorneys have a Sixth Amendment duty to advise their noncitizen clients about immigration consequences of all criminal convictions. Although prosecutors can address immigration issues on a case-by-case basis and some offices generate written warnings, Padilla did not address either a court's or a prosecutor's obligations. What role, if any, should a court or prosecutor play in advising an immigrant defendant concerning the immigration consequences of a plea?
For more information, visit Essay Competition .
Newly admitted (practicing up to seven years) public sector (prosecutor or institutional defense) attorneys in the field of criminal justice who carry more than $30,000 in educational debt are invited to compete.
Write a three-page opinion essay on the topic. No research or citations are required. The essay will be judged on creativity, persuasive reasoning and quality of writing.
Winners receive a cash stipend of at least $2,000 to alleviate educational debt.
Send the essay to: Criminal Justice Section Essay Competition, c/o NYCLA, 14 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10007 with a cover letter, indicating your year of graduation and post-law-school work history, explaining why you entered public service and outlining your educational debt.
ESSAYS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY AUGUST 26, 2011.
Essay winners will receive their awards at NYCLA's Public Service Awards Reception on September 27 at the NYCLA Home of Law.
Proceeds from the sale of the Criminal Justice Section's New York City Criminal Courts Manual help underwrite the essay competiton.
Questions?
Email Criminal Justice Section Co-Chair Keith Schmidt at keiths19@gmail.com . | 