NCJ Number
19001
Date Published
1974
Length
280 pages
Annotation
TRAINING AND REFERENCE HANDBOOK FOR AGENCY PARALEGALS WHO ASSESS THE NATURE OF EX-OFFENDERS' PROBLEMS AND ASSIST THEM IN OBTAINING THEIR GOALS THROUGH INFORMAL NEGOTATION AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS.
Abstract
PARALEGALS THUS TRAINED WILL ACT ONLY ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS WHO CANNOT OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF ATTORNEYS. THE PROBLEMS THEY ASSIST IN MAY INCLUDE INABILITY TO OBTAIN CREDIT, EMPLOYMENT, INSURANCE, AND HOUSING; OR MAY INVOLVE INACCURACIES IN, OR THE LACK OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF, MATERIALS IN THE FILES RELATING TO THE ARREST AND DISPOSITION OF CHARGES AGAINST AN EX-OFFENDER. THIS TRAINING HANDBOOK PRESENTS INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION NECESSARY FOR PARALEGAL WORK AS FOLLOWS: (1) AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE OF THE PARALEGAL AND THE LIMITATIONS OF THAT ROLE; (2) A RUDIMENTARY LAYPERSON'S KNOWLEDGE OF LEGAL SYSTEMS, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND CIVIL DISABILITIES OF THE EX-OFFENDER; (3) AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE RULES, PROCEDURES, FUNCTIONS AND STRUCTURE OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES; (4) AN ABILITY TO INTERVIEW, ASSESS PROBLEMS, GATHER AND ORGANIZE INFORMATION; (5) THE USE OF VARIOUS SKILLS FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION; AND (6) A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TECHNIQUES OF GROUP ADVOCACY.