| Overview |
 |
|
|
| |
Conducting intake
interviews is one of the best ways to get to know CGLA,
our practice, and our clients. CGLA sees clients with criminal,
family, housing and
expungement, sealing, & clemency cases. Intakes require that you come to the office to interview potential
clients and return to present their cases at our weekly intake
meeting. We conduct three intake sessions per week: two at CGLA's office and one at our south side satellite location, St. Sabina Church (near 79th and Racine). Each session lasts approximately two hours and is scheduled between the hours of 9:30am and 4:00pm, Monday-Friday. Volunteers return to the office on either Thursday or Friday afternoon (depending on case type) to present their cases at the weekly intake meeting, which also lasts approximately two hours. We will provide a manual that includes the types of
issues
you will face and questions to ask. |
|
- Training: Attorney/Law Student Intake Training. Observe three intake sessions.
- Requirements: Attorney or law
student with excellent
interpersonal skills and exceptionally clear communication
skills.
- Suggested Commitment: After completing the
training program, we ask volunteers to commit to completing
a minimum
of three intake sessions on their own, which can be scheduled
at the volunteer’s convenience.
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
| |
Our Expungement Help
Desk allows us to manage the large number of individuals seeking
to have their records expunged and sealed in a more proactive and
effective way. Volunteers help staff the desk, where they meet with
clients, read their rap sheets, determine their eligibility for expungement,
sealing, or clemency, and help them file the necessary paperwork.
The desk is open Monday through Friday from 9am until noon,
and is located at the Daley Center. |
|
- Training: Attorney/Law Student Expungement
Help Desk Training.
- Requirements: Attorney or law
student with excellent interpersonal skills who displays patience and compassion when working with others.
- Suggested Commitment: After completing the
training program, we ask volunteers to commit to completing a
minimum of three mornings working at the desk.
Back
to Top
|
Clear
Arrest and Conviction Records
|
|
| |
Our Expungement, Sealing,
and Clemency program helps eligible individuals get their arrest
and minor conviction records cleared.
CGLA uses volunteers to research records and file expungement and
sealing petitions at the Daley Center. We also help people who have
old convictions and have made significant life changes prepare petitions
for executive clemency. Preparing a clemency involves working directly with a client
and is extremely rewarding. One advantage to this volunteer opportunity is that the majority of the work can be done on your own time. |
|
- Training: Clemency
Training.
- Requirements: Attorney or law
student.
- Suggested Commitment: A clemency petition
typically requires 10-20 hours of work, under the guidance of
CGLA’s criminal records attorney.
Back
to Top
|
|
|
| |
Conducting a jail
intake involves coming to our office to pick up information on
the potential client, traveling to either
26th & California or 11th and Hamilton (juvenile detention
facility) where s/he is incarcerated,
and conducting the interview at the facility. As with regular intakes,
volunteers must come to our weekly intake meeting to present the
case. |
|
- Training: Jail Intake Training. Observe someone experienced
in conducting jail intakes. (Required – participation
in regular intake procedure first.)
- Requirements: Attorney licensed in the state
of Illinois or Law Student with 7-11 license.
- Suggested Commitment: Once trained, CGLA
will contact volunteers as needed to go to the jail,
which occurs
approximately twice a month.
Back to Top
|
Handle
or Assist with Cases |
|
| |
Volunteer attorneys
often will feel strongly about one of the clients they interview
and ask to represent him/her. Or, volunteers may have experience
or expertise in one of our practice areas. CGLA assists and supports
volunteers who wish to take on a case. Volunteers work under the
supervision of the staff attorney in charge of the relevant practice
area. |
|
- Training: Volunteer
Orientation, Intake Training.
- Requirements: Attorney licensed in the state
of Illinois, experience in CGLA’s intake procedure required.
- Expectation: Volunteer attorneys who agree
to handle a case are expected to follow through with the
matter until the case
is closed.
Back to Top
|
|
