Shire Veteran Jobs

he Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender has 50 attorneys who represent adults and juveniles in criminal and dependency matters through trial, sentencing, and appeal. Clients receive collaborative representation through a team of dedicated professionals who specialize in criminal and juvenile defense.  We provide the highest quality representation to our clients and prioritize a holistic, client centered, and community oriented practice with the ultimate goals of securing the best possible outcomes in our clients' cases, ameliorating the conditions that led to their involvement in the justice and dependency system, and improving the overall outcomes for their lives.  

The Assistant Chief Mental Health Attorney will focus on representing clients, and assisting colleagues in their representation of clients, diagnosed with serious mental illness, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and issues of aging including dementia.  The Attorney will also represent clients in civil commitment hearings and appeals brought pursuant to the Mental Health Procedures Act as well as hearings regarding competency to stand trial.  The Assistant Chief Mental Health Attorney will report to the Chief Mental Health Attorney and to the Chief Public Defender. 

The Assistant Chief Mental Health Attorney will assist the Chief Mental Health Attorney with the following:

• Overseeing the legal status of all clients who are in the Montgomery County; Correctional Facility (MCCF) with a serious mental illness;
• Overseeing the legal status of clients who are in Norristown State Hospital;
• Representing Public Defender clients diagnosed with serious mental illness from arrest through trial;
• Consulting with and retaining mental health experts, including specialized experts, to secure initial assessments and evaluations;
• Working with the Public Defender's Social Services Unit to find and effectuate placement of clients/patients with appropriate treatment providers and facilities;
• Representing clients at commitment hearings who are found incompetent to proceed to trial;
• Representing clients who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity and could be within the jurisdiction of the courts;
• Representing clients in Behavioral Health Court and/or Veteran's Treatment Court;
• Representing patients in hearings on petitions brought pursuant to the Mental Health Procedures Act (civil commitment hearings);
• Maintaining longitudinal data regarding arrests, bail, and mental health commitments to ensure compliance with best practices;
• Attending community events, programs, and educational forums to speak about mental health and the criminal justice system;
• Following up with clients who are placed in the community to ensure transition is made smoothly and assist in providing information to make transition successful;
• Support planning and legal processes for individuals to receive competency restoration in the least restrictive setting whenever possible and plan for those defendants who are deemed non-restorable to competency.

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``` - JD degree - Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania - Familiarity with the law, legal procedures and protocols and the criminal justice process, and the Mental Health Procedures Act; - At least 5 years criminal trial experience, including having tried cases to verdict; - Excellent interpersonal, communication, research, and writing skills; - Must possess excellent time management and organizational skills and be able to multi-task and work under pressure; - Ability to travel to and from various correctional facilities, Norristown State Hospital, and other treatment placement facilities; - Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel .

Office and Court environment with frequent trips to jails, treatment facilities, and the Norristown State Hospital