What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal position at Defender Association of Philadelphia?
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The Common Pleas Pretrial Unit handles adult felony cases awaiting a pretrial conference and staffs the Common Pleas Criminal Motions Court. Cases awaiting a pretrial conference have already had a preliminary hearing and will go through Formal Arraignment prior to entering a SMART room for a pretrial conference. Cases that are not resolved in the SMART room will be spun out for trial and sent to either the Felony Waiver Unit or Major Trial Unit. The Paralegal in the Common Pleas Pretrial Unit will be cross trained in the skills necessary to assist attorneys in both the SMART rooms and Common Pleas Criminal Motions Court. The Paralegal is a liaison for clients and an advocate in coordinating cases with attorneys, social workers, family members and individuals involved in all aspects of the criminal justice system.
What You’ll Do
- Calculate sentencing guidelines
- Review and analyze client’s current and previous cases
- Request, receive and review discovery
- Analyze cases for mandatory, recidivist or strike sentencing enhancement
- Prepare Rule 600 motions to dismiss for speedy trial
- Identify Defender conflicts of interest and recommend resolutions
- Attend Formal Arraignment Court and other court appearances as a client representative.
- Assess files for necessary investigations, referrals, or possible immigration issues that have not previously been flagged
- Prepare omnibus motions
- Order and obtain notes of testimony
- Retrieve the bills of information from the e-filing system
- Prepare cases where client is charged with being a Fugitive of Justice (FOJ). Including speaking with clients on the phone if out of custody, or if incarcerated, discussing either in person at the prison or over secure private technology, to advise them regarding the outstanding FOJ
- Draft and file various motions and responses including but not limited to 1013 motions, responses to DA refile motions, MC appeals, expungements, and bail reduction motions
- Communicate with clients, clients’ family, attorneys and staff regarding relevant information pertaining to these motions
- Follow up after bail hearings to ensure clients are out of custody.
- Assist attorneys and staff in ensuring internal databases are updated
- Track cases accepted into EAU/AFD and support clients in connecting with required programming
- Serve as back up to other paralegal staff
- Perform other related duties as assigned or needed
What You’ll Need
- Ability to communicate effectively with clients and conduct comprehensive legal interviews
- Experience working with indigent clients in criminal justice proceedings preferred
- Ability to communicate with and develop trusting relationships with clients, family members, employers and community to ensure that client has support throughout the court process
- Ability to understand and interpret the Pennsylvania Crimes Code
- Ability to interact professionally with attorneys, clients, office and court personnel
- Must have analytical and interpretive skills which are necessary to make important decisions regarding client histories and legal situation, as well as the initiative, accuracy, maturity and motivation necessary to reach these decisions and to follow through when applicable
- Computer literacy (Word, Excel, e-mail proficient) including the ability to learn multiple internal and external computer systems.
- Must be able to withstand prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- May have to lift up to 15 pounds
- Travel to various courtrooms and prisons as needed
To apply
Please apply online with resume and cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience.
Benefits & Perks
- Very generous and rich benefits plan with vision, dental, life insurance and long term disability
- Substantial paid time off (35 days of PTO plus all federal holidays)
- Six weeks of paid parental leave
- 403 (b) retirement savings with Employer Match
- Free Septa All Access Key card
- Meaningful & Impactful Work
- Ongoing Training and Development of You
Who is the Defender Association?
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Follow us @PhilllyDefenders (Twitter, Instagram & TikTok) and on LinkedIn.
The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.