Sacramento County Office of the Public Defender

Students will work directly with youth in the juvenile legal system. Students will be a part of legal defense teams, work closely with defense attorneys and community partners that include behavioral health, substance use treatment, education, probation, and prosocial community organizations. Students will complete initial screeners that include trauma screening tool. Students will complete needs and services assessments on each assigned client. Students will engage in case management that includes sending referrals and connecting youth and families with needs identified. Students will support youth in the legal system with making release plans that will be presented at court, mitigation planning, and supporting youth with meeting probation requirements. 

It is helpful to have students that gather information and seek consultation when needing help or a resource. It is helpful to have students that are open minded and remain curious while working with clients who may have harmed someone else. Students will need to dress and behave appropriately, especially while attending court.