Office of the State-Milwaukee Trial
Address: 819 N. Sixth Street, 9th Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53203-1606
Telephone Number: 414-227-4337
Email address: guzmana@mail.opd.state.wi.us
Contact Person(s) for Field Placement: Ana María M. Guzmán, J.D.
Services Provided: Criminal defense for indigent clients, as defined by state statute.
Summary of Expected Responsibilities and Learning Outcomes of Student Interns:
The Client Services Program in the Office of the State Public Defender was developed to provide attorneys and clients with skilled support services which enhance the effectiveness of legal representation and increase the extent to which clients' needs for treatment and rehabilitation services are met in the community. Some of the specific functions which client services workers can perform are:
- Gather bail information and developing alternatives--Client service workers can gather information about the clients' ties to the community, previous bail record, employment, health, and housing situation which may be useful to attorneys in a bail argument. Client services workers can help stabilize the clients' situations which may help to increase the likelihood of their appearance. They also can help clients apply for financial assistance, help finding employment, and help in finding housing in preparation for a bail modification motion.
- Gathering information and developing sentencing plans for plea negotiation--Client services workers can gather information about facts surrounding the offense and present circumstances of the defendant that may be helpful in negotiating a more favorable charge or recommendation at sentencing. Workers can also develop sentencing plans, which may be offered during plea discussions.
- Assisting in the preparation for trials--Client service workers can interview witnesses and victims, obtain records, reports, and conduct research on special issues (i.e., post-traumatic stress syndrome, prolonged effects of cocaine usage).
- Providing information at the sentencing hearing--Client service workers can arrange for assessment of clients (i.e., drug, alcohol, psychological), gather information regarding clients' family background, education, employment, prior criminal behavior, prior involvement in treatment, drug and alcohol usage, and health. Workers can assess clients' situations and develop treatment plans which respond to the clients' assessed needs. They can prepare written reports to the court and testify in court. They can also provide information to others who are making recommendations at sentencing. Client services workers can arrange for community service plans in lieu of fines or as a condition of probation, and they can monitor the clients' progress in fulfilling their commitment.
- Assisting attorneys in probation and parole revocation hearings--Under the provision of the Plotkin decision that revocation followed by imprisonment should not be the disposition unless certain conditions are met, client service workers can work with attorneys in providing information on alternatives to confinement. Client service workers can develop treatment plans that respond to clients' needs without confinements, and present these plans at revocation hearings. Client service workers may also provide information or develop short-term plans, which may be helpful in obtaining the release of clients from confinement while awaiting the final hearing.
Client service workers are not limited to the activities listed above. Workers become involved in cases at the request of attorneys and are responsible to the attorneys in matters involving individual clients.
Client service workers, like attorneys, are advocates for clients of the program. If the clients' wishes conflict with the clients' needs, the workers will act in accordance with the clients' wishes.