Colby Joseph
San Diego,CA
Summary
- Interested in a paralegal or law clerk position.
- Worked at the San Diego County Public Defender's Office from 2021 - 2023 as a legal intern and as a law-clerk.
- Participated in two trials, wrote, researched, and argued various motions, and handled misdemeanor and felony arraignment calendars.
- Share a deep connection with clients and remain in contact with many clients. Taught clients about the 'Science of Hope' and how 'Change is Possible'.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Paralegal - Fresh Start Unit
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2022.11 - 2023.11
- Drafted client declarations: PC § 1203.4 Expungement Declarations, PC § 17(b) motions, PC § 1203.4B Fire Camp Declarations, and PC § 236.14 Vacatur motions.
- Created exhibit binders, filed petitions with the Court, counseled clients on various matters regarding their expungement and attended weekly trainings.
- Conducted detailed client interviews and entered information into the County's database.
Law Clerk - Downtown Central Misdemeanor Unit
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2022.08 - 2022.11
- Co-chaired a misdemeanor trial where the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all charges: PC 245(a)(4), PC 273.5(a), and PC 243(e)(1).
- Wrote and argued motions, such as: PC § 1538.5 Motion to Suppress, PC § 995 Motion to Dismiss, Motion to Grant Diversion under PC § 1001.95; and Motions in Limine.
- Arraigned clients on Felony and Misdemeanor charges and argued on their behalf during further proceedings.
- Attended weekly trainings and covered court appearances for team members.
- Enhanced legal research efficiency by utilizing advanced search techniques and legal databases.
Legal Intern - South Bay
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2022.01 - 2022.05
- Co-chaired a PC 187 trial with Pedro Garcia where the jury returned a not guilty verdict on all charges. See Link provided to listen to 'Members of the Jury', The People v. Bow and Arrow Murder on Spotify.
- Wrote, filed, and argued the following motions: Defense Trial Brief and Motions in Limine; Response in Opposition to the People's Motions in Limine, Motion to Dismiss under PC § 1385; Motion to Grant Diversion under PC § 1001.95; 17(B) Motion to Reduce a Felony to a Misdemeanor; Points and Authorities Supporting a Motion in Opposition to the Proposed Restitution Amount; Motion to Transfer Probation under PC § 1203.9; Trombetta Motion; etc.
- Arraigned clients on Felony and Misdemeanor charges and argued on their behalf during further proceedings.
- Reviewed and organized discovery, conducted client interviews, and visited crime scenes.
- Conducted extensive legal research for complex cases, resulting in favorable outcomes for clients.
- Participated in client consultations, helping to address their concerns and provide valuable information regarding their cases.
Legal Intern - Alternate South Bay
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2021.08 - 2021.12
- Investigated, researched, and wrote memorandums and motions.
- Analyzed facts and case law to determine possible defenses for clients.
- Interviewed and communicated with clients via phone and email.
- Reviewed, redacted, and organized discovery.
- Attended and assisted with client meetings and hearings.
- Attended weekly training seminars.
CWSL Federal Work Study Recipient
California Innocence Project
2021.06 - 2021.08
- Entered donor data using an online database.
- Created, outlined, and noted all responsibilities for future federal work study recipients.
- Organized, scheduled, and attended board meetings and fundraising events.
- Received and reviewed legislative materials for upcoming legislative sessions.
- Brainstormed policy ideas and researched new areas of criminal justice reform.
Legal Intern - Juvenile Delinquency Unit
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2021.06 - 2021.08
- Investigated, researched, and wrote restitution memorandums.
- Represented minors at Disposition hearings, probation violation hearings, and 654 hearings.
- Counseled minors and families on various matters, including probation recommendations.
- Worked with Spanish speaking clients to fill out immigration questionnaires.
Legal Intern - Downtown Felony Unit
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2021.01 - 2021.05
- Conducted legal research and wrote memorandums.
- Created and organized mediation binders.
- Reviewed, analyzed, redacted, and summarized facts from discovery.
- Compiled exhibits for use during trial.
- Attended court hearings, developing a deeper understanding of trial procedures and advocacy strategies.
Education
Juris Doctorate -
California Western School of Law
San Diego, CA04.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Pre-Law
California State University
Los Angeles, CA12.2015
Skills
- Exceptional Writer
- Trial Preparation and Discovery Management
- Exhibit Preparation
- Legal Research
- LexisNexis and Westlaw
- Legal Document Preparation and Filing
- Case Management and Client Communication
- Proficient in MS Office
- Client Support
Accomplishments
▪ Gordon & Holmes Oral Advocacy Scholarship
▪ Academic Excellence Award: Advanced Criminal Defense
▪ Spring 2022 Texas Young Lawyers Association: Semifinalist
▪ Spring 2021 American Association of Justice Trial Team Competition
▪ Fall 2021 All Star National Challenge Team Competition: Semifinalist
▪ Fall 2020 Association of Business Trial Lawyers Trial Team Competition: 1st Place
▪ Lynch Legal Skills II Competition: 3rd Place Spring 2020; Distinguished Advocate Award
Affiliations
- Indoor and beach volleyball
- Rescue dogs
- Traveling to New Zealand to visit my family
- Volunteering for local food banks and nonprofit organizations
cwsl domestic violence seminar - 2021
Participated in Gale Strack's Domestic Violence Seminar. I researched and wrote my thesis on the 'Science of Hope'. See Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life, by Casey Gwinn, J.D. and Chan Hellman, Ph.D.. I explored how people involved in the criminal justice system can raise hope in their lives and what the system could look like if it were centered around hope.
volunteer for homeboy industries
Conducted mock interviews, assisted with resume building, and organized events. While volunteering I worked with Joseph Lucero and learned about his movement, "Change is Possible". Ten years later, while working in the Fresh Start Unit at the San Diego County Public Defender's Office, I wrote, argued, and won his expungement motion. Mr. Lucero now has a clean record and proved to future generations that "Change is Possible".
Members of the Jury Podcast - The People v. Bow and Arrow Murder
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3wdwYPoznJaANB6b5GrIG
I am the intern mentioned in the podcast above. I participated in jury selection and co-chaired the trial. During trial, I observed and documented inappropriate communication between a jurror and the prosecutor. My documentation allowed Deputy Public Defender Pedro Garcia to kick the jurror from deliberation after their innappropriate contact with the prosecutor. Rather than a Hung Jury, our client received a Not Guilty verdict.
Timeline
Paralegal - Fresh Start Unit
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2022.11 - 2023.11
Law Clerk - Downtown Central Misdemeanor Unit
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2022.08 - 2022.11
Legal Intern - South Bay
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2022.01 - 2022.05
Legal Intern - Alternate South Bay
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2021.08 - 2021.12
CWSL Federal Work Study Recipient
California Innocence Project
2021.06 - 2021.08
Legal Intern - Juvenile Delinquency Unit
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2021.06 - 2021.08
Legal Intern - Downtown Felony Unit
San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2021.01 - 2021.05
Juris Doctorate -
California Western School of Law
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Pre-Law
California State University
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