Assistant Chief - Mental Health Unit

County of Montgomery • Norristown, PA • 9h ago

SUMMARY

The Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender represents adults and juveniles in criminal and dependency matters in Montgomery County. Clients receive collaborative representation through a team of dedicated professionals. 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 systems, and improving the overall outcomes for their lives.

The Mental Health Unit is comprised of three attorneys with the Chief, Assistant Chief, and one Assistant Public Defender in the Unit. The Assistant Chief of the Mental Health Unit 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 Assistant Chief will also represent clients in civil commitment hearings and appeals brought pursuant to the Mental Health Procedures Act and handle criminal cases where there is a question regarding a client's competency to stand trial.

The Assistant Chief of the Mental Health Unit will report to the Chief Mental Health Attorney and to the Chief Public Defender.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Must have Juris Doctorate Degree.

Must have Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Familiarity with the law, legal procedures, and protocols regarding both the criminal justice process and the Mental Health Procedures Act.

Must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.

Must have trial experience having tried multiple cases to verdict.

Must be knowledgeable of criminal law and the Juvenile Court System.

Must have excellent communication (oral and written) skills.

Must possess organization, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills.

Must be able to do legal research.

Knowledge of Microsoft 365 programs.

Fluency in Spanish preferred, but not required.

Prior supervisory and management experience is preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Position involves a combination of office, court and field work. The successful candidate will make frequent trips to jails, treatment facilities, and the Norristown State Hospital.

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