Mitigation Specialist, Adolescent Intervention and Diversion Program (AID)

Job description

MAJOR PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice has one opening for a Mitigation Specialist in the Brooklyn office of the Adolescent Intervention and Diversion Program. The Adolescent Intervention and Diversion Program specializes in working with adolescents who are charged as adults in criminal and Supreme court matters. These client’s range in age from 13 to 18 years old and often have experienced a multitude of traumas including childhood neglect and abuse, long term poverty, educational disruptions, mental illness, substance abuse, physical illness, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. These experiences impact their functioning level and provide mitigating circumstances that must be incorporated in the defense advocacy. The Mitigation Specialist works directly with an assigned AID attorney to strategize a plan that incorporates both legal and therapeutic approaches to mitigate the court case and meet the individualized needs of the adolescent client. Participating in the intake process in Supreme Court and other hearings and providing both oral and written advocacy in collaboration with the assigned attorney is a key aspect of this r...