NCJ Number
43958
Journal
Group and Organization Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1976) Pages: 67-81
Date Published
1976
Length
15 pages
Annotation
METHODS USED TO TEACH PARALEGALS HOW TO HANDLE MISDEMEANOR CASES IN THE LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ARE DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE HEARING OFFICER PROGRAM IS TO FREE ATTORNEYS WHO HAD BEEN SERVING AS HEARING OFFICERS AND TO PROVIDE MORE EXTENSIVE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. THE TRAINING PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO HELP THE PARALEGAL HEARING OFFICERS DEFINE THEIR ROLES AND EXPERIMENT WITH THEM; RECOGNIZE THE LEVELS OF PROCESS WITHIN THEIR TASKS; BECOME AWARE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF AND ROLE; LISTEN CAREFULLY, HEAR ACCURATELY, AND COMMUNICATE CLEARLY; INTEGRATE LEGAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INFORMATION; AND FORM A CLOSE, SUPPORTIVE GROUP THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. THE TRAINING PROGRAM BEGAN WITH LECTURES AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND MOVED ON TO ROLE-PLAYING AND FEEDBACK SESSIONS. THE 2-WEEK COURSE CONCLUDED WITH A 3-DAY OUT-OF-TOWN RETREAT. OF THE 10 TRAINING GROUP MEMBERS, 8 WERE FORMER POLICE OFFICERS. THE GROUP INCLUDED THREE WOMEN AND SEVEN MEN. IN THE HEARING OFFICER PROGRAM'S FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OPERATION, HEARING OFFICERS DIVERTED 7,965 CASES FROM THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM WHILE PROVIDING PARTIES TO HEARINGS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCLOSE AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION IN A MANNER RARELY SEEN IN COURT. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE PARALEGAL OFFICERS WILL SAVE THE CITY AT LEAST $125,000 PER YEAR. DETAILS OF TRAINING TECHNIQUES, TRAINEES' COMMENTS CONCERNING THE TRAINING PROGRAM, AND SUBJECTIVE EVALUATIONS OF THE PARALEGALS' PERFORMANCE ARE INCLUDED.