JOB SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Chief Public Defender, works directly with clients assigned to the Galveston County Misdemeanor Mental Health Public Defenders Office. Works collaboratively with the other members of the office to assist clients in connecting with housing, substance abuse, mental health, medical, employment, and any other relevant services/benefits during comprehensive client-centered representation. Provides support for Assistant Public Defenders to advocate for pre-trial release, dismissals, diversions, and/or alternatives to conviction and/or incarceration. Provides trial support/investigation as necessary.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides psychosocial data to support the legal position being presented in court.
Conducts comprehensive interviews in the community and local jail to determine clients’ basic demographic information, living situation, relationship and family dynamics, legal status, education history, employment history, physical health, mental health, substance use history, and self-identified goals and needs. Attends collaborative meetings with the client and attorney. Reviews and helps develop case service plans. Initiates/facilitates referrals to mental health treatment and other services for clients, as soon as possible, to ensure rapid engagement in services. Gathers factual mitigation data through interviews, and obtaining and analyzing records.
Identifies and conducts interviews with family, friends, employers, and other support system members in the community who can aid in clients’ success.
Based on a clinical review of assessment outcomes and interviews with family and other support systems, helps develop individualized alternative sentencing plans that, in consultation with the case attorney and client, recommend and advocate for community-based sentences and alternative community treatment as indicated. Provides trial support with fact investigation and trial punishment mitigation as necessary. Researches and recommends alternatives to incarceration through memoranda prepared for submission to judges and prosecutors through Assistant Public Defenders.
Accompanies clients to court and participates in hearings, if requested by the defense attorney. Provides additional information and support, as required.
Maintains ongoing pre-trial or pre-sentence updates on clients’ progress through communication and collected documentation from community service providers and by conducting routine check-ins with clients.
Fosters communication and connections with a wide array of community service providers while sustaining a comprehensive community referral network.
Completes special projects and other duties as assigned by the Assistant Public Defenders and/or the Chief Public Defender. Performs other duties as assigned.
This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or modified at any time.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field from an accredited institution. Bilingualism is desirable.
Experience: Extensive related experience preferred.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Ability to testify in court without impeachment (may preclude applicants convicted of certain crimes).
Ability to travel to the courthouse or other criminal justice system facilities to see clients and witnesses, or to testify in court.
Possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle in order to access clients and witnesses.
Possess excellent interpersonal, analytical, writing, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a legal services team hierarchy.
The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.