Santa Clara County Office of the Alternate Defender (ADO)

Organization Description

Santa Clara County Office of the Alternate Defender (ADO) mission is to provide rigorous high quality, cost effective, and caring representation to indigent clients in cases where the Public Defender has a conflict of interest. ADO has a client-centered practice where we give voice to those whose voices have been silenced by poverty. As part of the defense team, ADO's social workers work with the most vulnerable of those served such as people with mental illness, unhoused populations, and those experiencing addiction.

Health & Safety

Once the students are trained and feel comfortable, students will meet with youth or adults in juvenile hall or county jails. For individuals who are out of custody, students can also meet with them onsite at our ADO office. ADO also offers remote visits via Zoom for in custody individuals.

For jail visits, students can request non-contact visits, as long as the housing unit offers it. If they don't, remote visits are an option. When entering a county jail, only county laptops are allowed. No cell phones. Anyone entering a county jail must go through fingerprinting and PREA training.
Additional requirements and/or considerations
  • Background Check (e.g. fingerprinting/livescan, driving record)
  • Computer Literacy
  • Driver's License
  • Health Check/Screening (e.g. temperature screening, COVID-19 test)
  • Must be 18 or older
  • Pre-Placement Training
  • Vaccinations
  • Bilingual Desired
Address 
2305 Bering Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
United States
General Phone 
(408) 970-2783
Website:
https://ado.santaclaracounty.gov/home
Program(s) 
MSW (Master of Social Work)
Organization type 
Judicial or Legal Facility/Organization (Government)
Focus Population(s)
Adults, College Students, Families, Females, Formerly Incarcerated People, Guardians/Parents, Immigrants/Refugees, Incarcerated People, LGBTQA, Males, Non-cisgendered, People Experiencing Addiction, People Experiencing Disability, People Experiencing Homelessness, People Experiencing Illness, People Impacted by Crime, Seniors, Specific racial/ethnic/cultural group, Survivors of Sexual or Domestic Violence, Teens/Young Adults, Veterans, Active Military and/or Military Families
Focus Area(s)
Advocacy and Human Rights, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice, Natural Resources, the Environment, and Ecosystems, Restorative Justice
Hours of operation 

Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. ADO requires students be in the field three days a week, regardless if they first-year or hybrid students.

Maximum students 
2