NCJ Number
79804
Journal
NLADA Briefcase Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1981) Pages: 58-68
Date Published
1981
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The need for the employment of social workers in public defenders' offices, some reasons for slow development in this area, and other issues bearing upon a partnership of the legal and social work professions are discussed.
Abstract
Since 1971, the American Bar Association and the National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals have recommended that social services be provided in public defender offices to offer assistance appropriate to social work as well as legal services at public expense. Under such an arrangement, attorneys and social workers would deal with client problems through their combined expertise within the parameters of the legal processes occassioned by the client's being drawn into the criminal justice system. Although the employment of a social worker in a public defender's office has been widely recommended, such an arrangement has developed slowly, primarily because of experienced or perceived conflicts between the legal and social work professions. The task of preparing for and instituting such a partnership in practice rests with practicing professionals and educators. Social workers must acquire knowledge of legal processes and must learn the role of client advocate within the legal setting. Attorneys must gain knowledge of social work processes and methods which will issue in respect for the social work profession. Specific professional biases hampering the cooperation of defenders and social workers are identified, and various uses of social workers in a public defender's office are described. Thirty-six footnotes are listed.