Staff Attorney – Inmate Legal

Suffolk County Sheriff's Department•Boston, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

At Nashua Street Jail, represents detainees in Suffolk Superior Court on petitions for review of bail. At the House of Correction, provides legal services to inmates, assists in filing post-conviction motions, acts as an advocate, advises inmates of their legal rights, researches legal problems, and prepares memoranda. This role works under the supervision of the General Counsel and the direct supervision of the Director of Inmate Legal Services. At the Jail, the Staff Attorney provides technical direction to Legal Assistants who interview, screen, and recommend detainees for bail appeal hearings and legal services requests. At the House of Correction, the Staff Attorney provides technical direction to Legal Assistants who interview inmates and respond to legal requests.

Requirements

Ability to interact with employees and the public in a pleasant and discreet manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels throughout the organization, in other agencies, and in private industry.
High levels of customer service, independence, leadership and willingness to write and maintain documentation.
Must perform duties with a high degree of confidentiality.
Thorough substantive knowledge of office procedures, practices, and equipment, including personal computers is required.
Ability to demonstrate initiative and to work with co-workers and consultants.
Self-motivator, ability to meet project deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously is essential.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to complete moderate to complex level of qualitative and quantitative analyses.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills are required.
Attention to detail is crucial.
Need for creativity, flexibility and organizational skills.
Ability to recognize administrative problems and to recommend solutions to division manager to improve efficiency.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form required.
Ability to assume increased responsibility in absence of division manager.
Considerable knowledge of the court system and the technical aspects of incarceration.
Working knowledge of and skill at interviewing techniques.
Ability to present effective oral arguments.
Ability to perform legal research and prepare memos and briefs.
Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.
Regular, punctual and predictable attendance at assigned workplace.
Communicate orally with employees and the public.
Read and enter information into appropriate electronic database as needed.
Sit or stand periodically for 8 hours.
Lift up to 10 pounds.
Carry up to 10 pounds.
Climb stairs occasionally.
Walk short distances.
Write and type.

Nice To Haves

Flexibility and ability to learn and perform new duties and skills as assigned.
Such other duties as the Sheriff and General Counsel may assign from time to time.

Responsibilities

Assists indigent inmates at the House of Correction on post conviction motions, including Motions to Revise and Revoke, Motions for Jail Credit, and Motions for corrected Mittimus.
Advises and represents indigent inmates on legal issues related to probate and family matters.
Advises inmates on general legal matters that may arise during incarceration.
Takes affirmative steps to keep current in areas of the law that affect the inmate population.
Represents indigent detainees at Bail Appeal hearings in Superior Court.
Reviews all case files of detainees for recommendations for bail appeals.
Provides advice and guidance to Legal Assistants making recommendations for bail appeals.
Researches legal problems and prepares memos.
Provides limited legal advice to detainees and staff assisting prisoners on legal issues.
Maintains knowledge of sentencing, including parole standards, jail credit, statutory good time, and earned time.
Maintains the law library.
Maintains knowledge of Pretrial Controlled Release Programs.
Participates in mandatory training.
Answers telephone and responds to inquiries.
Composes, reads, and reviews spreadsheet reports and enters data into the appropriate electronic database.
Meets regular deadlines to ensure appeals are processed timely.
Complies with and enforces Department policies and procedures.
Complies with security procedures.
Obeys moderately complex oral and written orders.
Communicates effectively both orally and in writing.
Independently initiates projects, executes necessary steps, and completes them in a timely and effective manner.
Deals calmly and effectively with stressful situations, including emergencies.
Exercises good judgment.