Establishing Paralegal System

JO1 Ampy Carla I Castro

What is a Paralegal Officer?

PARALEGAL OFFICER - is a person with

legal skills, but who is not necessarily a
lawyer. They are also called LEGAL
ASSISTANTS.
Characteristics of Paralegal
Officer
Paralegal Officer must possess
the following skills and competencies
in order to effectively assist inmates:
Ability to inform and assist inmates on
appropriate remedies regarding cases.
Good communication skills
Effective listening skills
Basic counseling skills
Good analytical skills
Characteristics of Paralegal
Officer
Computer skills
Interviewing and investigating skills
Organizing and record keeping
skills
Training and facilitation skills
Networking and advocacy skills
Researching skills
Administrative skills
Interpersonal relations skills
Work Ethics of Paralegal Officer
IMPERSONATION A paralegal who is NOT a
lawyer is NOT allowed to practice law.
TRUSTWORTHY A paralegal should NOT
divulge information about his/her client/s
unless reporting to a referral agency where
assistance is sought. Client information
SHOULD BE kept CONFIDENTIAL.
POLITENESS Clients SHOULD always be
treated with RESPECT and COURTESY.
Work Ethics of Paralegal Officer
PROMPTNESS Prompt services should
ALWAYS be provided.
IMPARTIALITY A paralegal MUST always
be UNBIASED and IMPARTIAL.
FAIRNESS and JUSTICE Always be fair in
your decisions.
Things a Paralegal Officer must
never doclaim to be a lawyer, unless
Never
you are one.
Never charge fee for your service.
Do not accept any kind of payment
from your client including presents.
Never ask for or receive any form
of payment (e.g. cash or in kind)
for services or counseling that you
rendered. The services of a
paralegal are free.
Things a Paralegal Officer must
never domeddle in complex legal
Never
problems or issues. Always refer
cases that you are not able to
handle to a lawyer.
Never take the position of a Judge
in any matter.
Never lose your temper even when
people are rude to you.
Never discuss a clients case with
friends or relations.
How to do Paralegal works
What Constitute Paralegal Work?
Paralegal work consists of the following:
1.Assistance to inmates in their respective
criminal cases especially those who cannot
afford the services of private lawyers; and
2.Assistance to convicted inmates applying
for probation, good conduct time allowance
(GCTA), pardon and parole.
 Informing the inmates of their legal rights and
laws applicable to them.
Coordinating with PAO, volunteer lawyers or
NGOs who are extending/providing free legal
assistance to inmates for the speedy
disposition of their cases as well as those
government agencies such as the DSWD and
LGUs concerned with the detention of minors.
Looking for the best possible surety who can
provide the bail bond most affordable to the
inmate.
 Assisting the inmate at any stage of his
trial including preparation of documents
and testimony which the inmate is
required to do relative to his criminal case
as well as in the production of evidence in
his behalf.
Assisting the preparation of motions which
the inmate allowed or desire to file with
proper coordination with PAO/ defense
council, prosecutor and court.
 Exploring the possible mediation or
conciliation of inmates case or
conducting mediation and other
alternatives modes of dispute resolution
with the consent of the court and
parties.
Monitoring period of detention or service
of sentence to facilitate their awaiting of
probation, GCTA, overtime allowances,
recognizance, pardon and parole.
3. Identification of services to be provided
4. Case Status Monitoring
Utilizing the National Inmates Monitoring
System (NIMS) to monitor and be
updated with the status of inmates.
Giving the inmates an inmates Case
Notebook to record the details of their
cases
Asking the inmate what happened
during their last hearing
 Asking the lawyer/public attorney
regarding the status of the case
Asking the Prosecutor regarding the
status of the case
Going to court and formally requesting
for information regarding the case if
needed.
5. Authority to access inmate case records
General guidelines in organizing
paralegal aides
A PARALEGAL AIDE is a volunteer
inmate who renders paralegal service
free of charge. A Paralegal Aide
should have the following
competencies:
Knows how to read and write
Preferably with secondary education
Must have demonstrated willingness
to help other inmates; and
With no previous violation of jail rules
and regulations.
Guidelines for paralegal service providers

1. Volunteer Organization / Agency

2. Inmate Paralegal

3. Paralegal Volunteer
Thank you for listening
and Good day!