Legal Clerk

Job Description Position Description

Summary:

Fact Witness Coordinator to support the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia

• Assesses victims’ immediate need for assistance. Identifies resources and provides referrals to crime victims and their families. Provides a variety of information and assistance to include crisis intervention resources, assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries, information on legal rights and resources available, emergency housing options, employment services, and transportation assistance. Effectively utilizes appropriate community, state and/or Federal victim assistance resources.
• Assists AUSAs in locating victims and assessing their ability to testify in court proceedings. Provides attorneys with information regarding victims. Makes recommendations to AUSAs about potential challenges to successful court appearances by victims. Aids in preparing victims to deliver testimony. Answers questions from AUSAs and follows up on inquiries regarding victim. Schedules appointments, phone conferences and meetings with victims as requested by the assigned attorney or as initiated by the victim.
  
  Makes transportation and hotel arrangements to facilitate court appearances. Provides advisory guidance and assistance in preparing victim impact statements.
• Provides in-court support to victims during and prior to hearings and trials, including courtroom orientation prior to testimony, facilitating opportunities for victims to consult with AUSAs prosecuting the case and locating a safe, separate waiting area apart from defendants and their counsel. Attempts to keep victims cooperative and participating in the criminal justice process by communicating in a respectful and professional manner, answering questions and listening to victims’ concerns and offering assistance/support when appropriate.
  
  Assesses safety concerns of victims and aids in safety planning.
• Provides victims with information about the criminal justice process and court proceedings. Facilitates victims’ understanding and expectations of the criminal process.
• Informs victims of their rights under Federal law and assists victims with exercising those rights throughout the prosecution. Informs victims of significant case events such as decisions about charged offenses, the detention or release of suspect; trial, verdict, sentence, and if the offender is convicted and confined and the probable date of release to supervision.
• Informs victims of the various means available to seek financial restitution. Confers with USAO asset forfeiture and financial litigation staff regarding the status of restitution efforts. Assists crime victims in completing applications and required documents to access victim assistance funding or needed services.
• Develops USAO victim-centered responses in mass casualty, death penalty, human trafficking and other complex or challenging victim cases.

• Independently develops and maintains relationships with a network of Federal, state and local law enforcement personnel, investigative agency victim specialists and social service organizations to increase resources and services to comprehensively serve crime victims. Researches and develops partnerships with agencies that provide medical, psychological, legal, financial, shelter, child care and employment services.
• Coordinates with Federal, state and local law enforcement and victim service providers in establishing comprehensive assistance plans to support victims. Shares information regarding new victim assistance programs and services.
• Serves as USAO representative on local, state and national task forces, committees and working groups regarding victim issues.

• Conducts victim assistance workshops, seminars, presentations and meetings with law enforcement personnel, Federal investigative agency victim specialists, state and local officials and members of community organizations.
• Develops presentations and remarks tailored to most effectively resonate with different audiences. Identifies specific communication needs for each community interaction and develops or chooses appropriate communication approach, informational materials and program literature.
• Publicizes Federal efforts to develop and improve assistance programs by speakin