Spanish Interpreter - Public Defender
About The Position
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Liaises between department or County staff and interprets for limited English proficiency clients; liaises and translates between members of the public, clients, courts, attorneys, social workers or other legal or justice professionals; responds to inquiries whether by person, mail, email, or telephone; conducts ongoing communications and correspondence; handles complaints or complex issues that require translation skills; interprets during interviews, dispositions, hearings, and court proceedings; liaises with new defendants and their families to determine requirements for public defense and to secure background information; and supports defendants and their families when they engage with the justice system (bond, visitation, jail policies, etc.). Supports attorneys; helps clients request a public defender and interfaces between attorney and client for translation purposes; supports court recorders, attorneys, and staff when needed; schedules appointments with clients, family members, witnesses, social workers, etc.; translates correspondence for attorneys or other office staff; translates legal documents; interprets for intake attorneys during interviews, discovery, and court appearances; transcribes and translates videos from clients, witnesses, or victims; and responds to attorney or client requests for information. Operates case file system for research and review; reviews court data; answers inquiries from attorneys, clients, and client family members; determines court dates, warrant numbers, charges, case numbers, dispositions, and related police reports; creates and enters information into client files; alerts staff of possible conflicts in scheduling or legal representation; and conducts general research for office or related agency staff. Provides administrative support; retrieves, translates, types, and distributes all mail ; provides information for related agencies to assist with community resources; operates multiple telephone lines; supports supervisor, attorneys, administrative staff, or reception staff as needed; attends meetings ; translates and transcribes audio and video records; and coordinates meetings between clients and office or agency staff. Monitors case status; monitors case files for attorneys, clients, and family members for court schedules and dates; reviews intake files; and logs interviews requiring translations, including staff present, case numbers, and relevant references. Provides staff support; may assist in training new administrative staff and new attorneys; supports (covers) staff during leave or short-staff situations; monitors all cases involving limited English proficiency clients to ensure proactive approach; and monitors closed cases to ensure correct completion procedures.
Requirements
- Associate degree in Criminology or Languages
- Three years of experience in criminal justice
- Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job
- Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license
- Must possess or attain Interpreter certification within six months of employment in this classification
Responsibilities
- Liaises between department or County staff and interprets for limited English proficiency clients
- Liaises and translates between members of the public, clients, courts, attorneys, social workers or other legal or justice professionals
- Responds to inquiries whether by person, mail, email, or telephone
- Conducts ongoing communications and correspondence
- Handles complaints or complex issues that require translation skills
- Interprets during interviews, dispositions, hearings, and court proceedings
- Liaises with new defendants and their families to determine requirements for public defense and to secure background information
- Supports defendants and their families when they engage with the justice system (bond, visitation, jail policies, etc.)
- Supports attorneys
- Helps clients request a public defender and interfaces between attorney and client for translation purposes
- Supports court recorders, attorneys, and staff when needed
- Schedules appointments with clients, family members, witnesses, social workers, etc.
- Translates correspondence for attorneys or other office staff
- Translates legal documents
- Interprets for intake attorneys during interviews, discovery, and court appearances
- Transcribes and translates videos from clients, witnesses, or victims
- Responds to attorney or client requests for information
- Operates case file system for research and review
- Reviews court data
- Answers inquiries from attorneys, clients, and client family members
- Determines court dates, warrant numbers, charges, case numbers, dispositions, and related police reports
- Creates and enters information into client files
- Alerts staff of possible conflicts in scheduling or legal representation
- Conducts general research for office or related agency staff
- Provides administrative support
- Retrieves, translates, types, and distributes all mail
- Provides information for related agencies to assist with community resources
- Operates multiple telephone lines
- Supports supervisor, attorneys, administrative staff, or reception staff as needed
- Attends meetings
- Translates and transcribes audio and video records
- Coordinates meetings between clients and office or agency staff
- Monitors case status
- Monitors case files for attorneys, clients, and family members for court schedules and dates
- Reviews intake files
- Logs interviews requiring translations, including staff present, case numbers, and relevant references
- Provides staff support
- May assist in training new administrative staff and new attorneys
- Supports (covers) staff during leave or short-staff situations
- Monitors all cases involving limited English proficiency clients to ensure proactive approach
- Monitors closed cases to ensure correct completion procedures
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
