Improving the Functions of the Justice System
By Tatum Coffey ‘25​This summer, I interned with Jefferson County’s Justice Services Department. Justice Services is dedicated to supporting and improving the functions of the justice system by working to promote public safety, increase self-sufficiency, and provide alternatives to incarceration.
I spent most of my time in the Jefferson County Jail, working with the Pre-Trial Officers. Here, my responsibilities included:
- Going to bond-setting court, known as Advisements
- Recording bond amounts and conditions of bond in the online system
- Explaining the bond and bond conditions to inmates, as well as mandatory protection orders (MPOs) and firearms relinquishment
Outside the jail, I had the opportunity to shadow various aspects of the criminal justice system, including the District Attorney’s Office, Pre-Trial Case Management, Community Service Case Management, Victim Witness, and more!
My favorite part of my internship was going to Advisements, and hearing the arguments made by the attorneys and the judge’s decision. Ultimately, this has informed my decision to pursue law school and potentially become a DA in the future.
Internship funded by the Annual Fund For Career Readiness provided by Stephen J. Buchbinder '70.