DATE: June 18, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Lisa A. Smittcamp, District Attorney
SUBJECT: San Joaquin College of Law Federal Work Study Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with the San Joaquin College of Law to provide law students eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program to the District Attorney’s Office, effective June 18, 2019 through June 17, 2020, with two additional one-year extensions, unless either party notifies the other in writing of its intention to terminate ($20,000).
REPORT
This agreement will allow the District Attorney’s Office to have access to and utilize law students from the San Joaquin College of Law (SJCL) who are interested in becoming prosecutors. Students will accompany prosecutors to court, assist in the preparation of felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, and observe preliminary hearings, trials, and other court proceedings. Seventy-five percent of the associated cost will be offset through the Federal Work-Study Program implemented by SJCL. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the District Attorney’s Office will have less access to case support provided by law students, and will not be able to take advantage of the Federal Work-Study Program offered by SJCL.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The District Attorney’s Office estimates that no more than 10 students will be accepted to participate per year in the program, projecting twenty-five percent of the cost at $20,000 over the three-year term, which will be absorbed with the Department’s Net County Cost allocation. Appropriations and estimated revenues for year one of this agreement will be included in the District Attorney Org 2860 FY 2019-20 budget request and future budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office was contacted by SJCL regarding employing law students, and offsetting seventy-five percent of the cost of employing these students with Federal Work-Study Program funds. Law students interested in a career in prosecution will be approved and placed by the District Attorney during the academic and summer semesters. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with prosecutors in a wide variety of areas of prosecution. Students may also attend in-house training administered by the District Attorney’s Office.
Students will be recommended by SJCL for consideration first, then will be evaluated by the District Attorney, and if accepted, will be required to pass a background investigation, at the County’s expense. Students will be paid the state minimum wage by SJCL, and the District Attorney will be billed on a monthly basis for twenty-five percent of that cost. Students will be limited to work a total of 192 hours per placement, up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and will be allowed to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer, at the District Attorney’s discretion. Students will accompany prosecutors to court, assist in the preparation of felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, and observe preliminary hearings, trials, and other court proceedings.
This agreement has a mutual hold harmless clause, and non-standard insurance requirements, but staff believes that the benefits of entering into this agreement outweigh any associated risks.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with SJCL
CAO ANALYST:
Jeannie Z. Figueroa