LEGAL ADVOCATE

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Legal Advocate position is responsible for providing victim advocacy to victims in the courtroom setting and throughout the criminal justice process who have pending Criminal Sexual Conduct cases. This position is also able to support and assist those who have questions/need guidance in initiating a criminal sexual conduct complaint to law enforcement. The Legal Advocate will attend Criminal Sexual Conduct hearings and is able to assist and support primary and secondary victims through family court, friend of the court, and civil legal proceedings. This position will offer emotional support, crime victim compensation information and assistance, and be an advocate for victims’ rights. The Legal Advocate will also support victims through referrals and/or information to access additional advocacy needs such as financial assistance, housing, health care, and client assistance needs.

Travel is required for this position including short trips to meetings, to perform court advocacy services, or to attend conferences.

This position is funded through a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Division of Victim Services (DVS) grant, which defines specific duties.

HOURS/COMPENSATION:35 hours a week position

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS:

This position is required to possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Social Work, Psychology, or a related human service field. The Legal Advocate prefers to have prior work experience in a court or legal setting. This person must be a compassionate, caring individual willing to support victims of sexual violence and their family members. This person should be able to advocate for victims and their family members to fellow professionals. This individual must have the ability to work independently as well as be able to function as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Understanding of sexual assault/abuse, issues of victimization and an understanding of victim’s rights is also preferred. The Legal Advocate must have the ability to work with law enforcement and legal counsel in a courtroom setting while advocating for the victim.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide advocacy, information, and support to primary and secondary victims throughout the criminal justice process.

2. Obtain and monitor the court docket for Criminal Sexual Conduct hearings, volunteer attendance at all Criminal Sexual Conduct hearings.

3. Provide advocacy, information, and support for victims and their non-offending caregivers through family court proceedings involving sexual abuse victimizations.

4. Provide advocacy, information, and support for sexual abuse victims and their non-offending caregivers through the Juvenile Court CSC proceedings.

5. Provide referral assistance and accompaniment to clients with sexual abuse victimizations and involvement with Friend of the Court.

6. Provide support, assistance and advocacy to sexual assault clients engaged in civil legal proceedings.

7. Provide information to victims of sexual assault and/or the victim’s family regarding reporting, prosecution, service availability, victim’s rights and compensation for themselves and their families.

8. Travel to the court venues as needed for court proceedings to provide support to victims of sexual violence and to meet with prosecutors or law enforcement regarding current cases.

9. Coordinate meetings with victims of sexual violence and the assistant prosecuting attorney assigned to each Criminal Sexual Conduct court proceeding.

10. Remain informed about changes or updates that may occur with client’s cases and routinely check in as appropriate.

11. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with prosecutors, court victim advocates, community-based advocates, law enforcement, Michigan Department of Corrections, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services workers.

12. Partner with collaborating community resource (Underground Railroad) for comprehensive assistance for clients seeking Personal Protection Orders, requesting court support, and connection to housing assistance as needed.

13. Collaborate with Sexual Assault Services Advocate to support clients in need of financial assistance and/or employment services.

14. Arrange for transportation or childcare needs to support clients when necessary for court purposes.

15. Attend the following community-based meetings:

a. Case Review Team: regarding status, coordination, and advocacy for current child sexual abuse cases

b. Sex Offender Case Management Team: advocacy of victim’s rights

c. Sexual Assault Response Team: integrating information pertaining to legal advocacy for victims of sexual assault

d. Early Childhood Court Active Community Team Meeting: regarding community education and being a referral-based source

16. Compile and maintain statistics relative to the legal advocacy services.

17. Provide opportunities for people utilizing legal advocacy services to anonymously provide feedback related to satisfaction with services. Compile and report results to SAC Director on a quarterly basis.

18. Collaborate with criminal justice personnel to evaluate and improve advocacy services on an as needed basis.

19. Provide weekend and Holiday back-up crisis intervention services based on a rotating calendar for back-up.

a) Weekend and Holiday crisis services will be compensated for as established in the On-Call Back-Up for Grant Funded Staff policy.

20. Work with community organizations, groups, and underserved populations to address identified development areas and steps supporting the Community Systems Change Plan in place.

21. Seek professional development with the approval of the Center Director. Determination of professional development is based on an employee’s longevity with the agency, level of knowledge, individual specialization, and current needs of the agency.

22. Other duties as assigned by the Sexual Assault Center Director.

Pay: $23.60 - $28.43 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Travel reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person