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Trainee solicitor volunteers on death row

19 February, 2009

Trainee solicitor Duncan Jones, is about to swap life in a busy corporate law firm for a voluntary internship in the USA, working with prisoners on death row at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, and with those facing capital charges at trial.

Duncan, 22, currently working as a paralegal at Norwich law firm Howes Percival LLP, will take up a post at the Office of Capital Defence Counsel in Jackson, Mississippi on 16th March. He has been awarded a voluntary internship though Amicus ALJ, an English charity designed to assist capital defence lawyers in the United States.

The charity aims to provide representation for those on death row and to raise awareness of the issue. Each year, it places 15 to 20 legally qualified interns with capital defence attorneys and other organisations throughout states that have the death penalty. Most placements are in southern states where the majority of executions take place.

During his internship, which will last a minimum of four months, Duncan’s day-to-day duties will be hugely varied. He will visit clients on death row at Mississippi State Penitentiary and will be involved in work which will directly contribute to the defense of convicts facing the death penalty.

Duncan commented, “I do not support Capital Punishment. State killing of citizens cannot be justified under any circumstances, and the US system of capital punishment is fundamentally flawed. This internship is not necessarily about trying to exonerate convicts, – but, trying to give them the best defence possible. The US doesn’t have a Legal Aid system like ours, and good defence and appeals against capital charges are notoriously time consuming and expensive. Defendants are often the poorest members of the community and many suffer from mental health, drug, and alcohol problems. Attorneys like those working at the Office of Capital Defense Counsel are vital to providing the representation that most people facing the death penalty who would not otherwise get. By volunteering my services I hope to play some part in helping these people get a fair hearing and the right sentence.

“I have had to do quite a lot of preparation. Amicus provides training on US law, capital trial and appellate procedure, constitutional law, international law and legal research. This means that when I report for duty in Jackson, I will be able to provide much-needed help from day one.”

Born and educated in Norwich, Duncan studied Law and Human Rights at Essex University. On his return from Mississippi he plans to study for a Masters degree in Public Law and Human Rights.

Duncan concluded, “Working at Howes Percival LLP has given me some really valuable experience, but my ambition has always been to work in the area of human rights. I am a passionate supporter of human rights and I see this as a really worthwhile way of getting relevant experience and progressing my career. This could be a life changing experience for me and I hope that it is going to be equally helpful for the people I will be working with.”

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Trainee solicitor volunteers on death row