Staff Attorney – Inmate Legal

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

          At Nashua Street Jail, represents detainees in Suffolk Superior Court on petitions for review of bail.  At House of Correction, provides legal services to inmates; assists in the filing of post-conviction motions; acts as advocate for inmates within the House of Correction; advises inmates of their legal rights; researches legal problems and prepares memoranda; and performs related work as required by the General Counsel.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
          Works under the supervision of the General Counsel and direct supervision of the Director of Inmate Legal Services.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

       At Jail, provides technical direction to Legal Assistants who interview, screen and recommend detainees for bail appeal hearings and legal services requests.  At House of Correction, provides technical direction to Legal Assistants who interview inmates and respond to legal requests.   

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

        1. Assists indigent inmates at the House of Correction on post conviction motions, including, but not limited to, Motions to Revise and Revoke, Motions for Jail Credit, Motions for corrected Mittimus;

1. Advises and represents indigent inmates on legal issues related to probate and family matters;
2. Advises, when appropriate, inmates on general legal matters that may arise during incarceration;
3. Takes affirmative steps to keep current in areas of the law that affect the inmate population;
4. Represents indigent detainees at Bail Appeal hearings in Superior Court;
5. Reviews all case files of detainees for recommendations for bail appeals.  Provides advice and guidance to Legal Assistants making such recommendations;
6. Researches legal problems and prepares memos;
7. Provides limited legal advice to detainees and staff assisting prisoners on legal issues;
8. Knowledge of sentencing, including parole standards, jail credit, statuary good time and earned time;
9. Maintains law library;
10. Knowledge of Pretrial Controlled Release Programs;
11. Flexibility and ability to learn and perform new duties and skills as assigned; and
12. Such other duties as the Sheriff and General Counsel may assign from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Ability to interact with employees and the public in a pleasant and discreet manner. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels throughout the organization, in other agencies, and in private industry. High levels of customer service, independence, leadership and willingness to write and maintain documentation. Must perform duties with a high degree of confidentiality;
2. Thorough substantive knowledge of office procedures, practices, and equipment, including personal computers is required;
3. Ability to demonstrate initiative and to work with co-workers and consultants. Self-motivator, ability to meet project deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously is essential. Ability to maintain accurate records;
4. Ability to complete moderate to complex level of qualitative and quantitative analyses. Strong analytical and problem solving skills are required. Attention to detail is crucial. Need for creativity, flexibility and organizational skills;
5. Ability to recognize administrative problems and to recommend solutions to division manager to improve efficiency;
6. Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form required;
7. Ability to assume increased responsibility in absence of division manager;
8.  Considerable knowledge of the court system and the technical aspects of incarceration;
9.  Working knowledge of and skill at interviewing techniques;
10. Ability to present effective oral arguments;
11. Ability to perform legal research and prepare memos and briefs; and,
12. Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Maintain knowledge of court, pretrial release and parole systems;
2. Answer telephone and respond to inquiries;
3. Compose, read, and review spreadsheet reports and enter into appropriate electronic database;
4. Regular, punctual and predictable attendance at assigned workplace;
5. Meet regular deadlines to ensure appeals are processed timely;
6. Knowledge of, compliance with, and enforcement of Department policies and procedures;
7. Compliance with security procedures;
8. Obeying of moderately complex oral and written orders;
9. Communicating effectively both orally and in writing;
10. Able to independently initiate a project, execute the necessary steps, and complete in a timely and effective manner;
11. Deal calmly and effectively with stressful situations, including emergencies; and,
12. Exercise good judgment.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Communicate orally with employees and the public;
2. Read and enter information into appropriate electronic database as needed;
3. Sit or stand periodically for 8 hours;
4. Lift up to 10 pounds;
5. Carry up to 10 pounds;
6. Climb stairs occasionally;
7. Walk short distances; and,
8. Write and type.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS OF POSITION

            Participation in mandatory training.