INTERN POLICY AND GUIDELINES

    The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney's office would like to welcome you to our internship program.

    Our program is designed to enhance your understanding of our role in the criminal justice system. It is also designed to benefit our prosecutors by providing them with vital assistance with their hectic work load.

    In order to obtain this balance and protect the integrity of our office, the following policy and guidelines must be followed:

  1. You are a representative of the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney's office. Remember that anything you say or do will reflect on our office. You must conduct yourself with this in mind at all times.

  2. Any prior problems with the law or any matters in your history that may cause our office embarrassment must be revealed.

  3. Our office handles many matters that are very sensitive and confidential. The following are examples of matters that should not be discussed with anyone outside the District Attorney's office:

            a.    Testimony in grand jury proceedings;
            b.    The criminal history of defendants;
            c.    The contents of our files;
            d.    Any ongoing investigation that you are privy to 
                    in our office;
            e.    A prosecutor's trial strategy.

  1. Do not discuss research issues that you are working on with attorneys outside our office.

  2. Any concern you may have about being asked to do something unethical should be reported to the First Assistant or the Criminal District Attorney, Kurt Sistrunk.

  3. Any concern about sexual harassment or prejudicial conduct based on sex, race or religion by any member of the Criminal District Attorney's office should be reported to the First Assistant or the Criminal District Attorney, Kurt Sistrunk.

  4. Many Assistant D.A.s will be anxious to solicit your help. Your assignments will be coordinated by the First Assistant. You should only work on assignments delegated by the First Assistant. Zonia Wilturner Smith, the Office Manager, will delegate assignments if the First Assistant is not available.

    I have read and understand the policy and guidelines and I agree to abide by them.