Government attorney
In many locations, such as State capitals, the government attorneys are the largest pool of potential volunteers. In other locations, i.e. in rural counties, government attorneys may represent a large percentage of available volunteers. As a result, pro bono programs and government agencies are designing new ways and opportunists for government attorneys to participate in pro bono.
Participation by Government Attorneys
Pro bono organizations and volunteer attorneys have worked together to develop projects designed to provide pro bono opportunities tailored to the restrictions faced by government employees. Projects seek to accommodate government attorneys by providing opportunities outside working hours, providing a location to meet with clients, or finding a area of law such as children SSI claims which does not present a conflict of interest.
PRO BONO SERVICES
The following project which are facilitated and participated by Government Attorneys.
1. The King County Bar Association (KCBA) has developed several successful projects for government attorneys. The KCBA works with the Washington Department of Labor attorneys to provide legal advice on wage claims through Casa Latina, a day laborer's ? organization. In another project, local prosecutors participate in regular clinics at homeless shelters. Additionally, local prosecutors have adopted a women's shelter and conduct legal clinics twice per month on their lunch hour.
2. Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) has a close working relationship with the local public defender and has worked to integrate them into the pro bono referral process. FRLS sends cases to the public defender, which then places the cases with private pro bono attorneys.
3. Legal Services of North Florida has worked to develop active government attorney involvement in its homeless project, night clinic program, senior citizen center intake and advice clinic, ad telephone hotline. The Telephone hotline is sponsored by different agencies such as the Florida Attorney Generals office, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Community Affairs, and the City of Tallahassee attorney's office.
Power and Duties of Government Attorney
The government attorney ha a duty to prosecute or defend all civil or criminal suits in which the state or county is a party or interested on behalf of the state or county. The county attorney shall appear before any magistrate and conduct any criminal examination, prosecute all civil suits before any magistrate. When the county board or county officers request opinions or advice concerning duties of the offices or matters, the county attorney shall give opinions or advice for no fee. The county attorney shall perform all duties enjoined by law upon the county coroner and shall be ex officio county coroner.
Besides the government attorney has following duties.
Prosecute all violations of State Law both felonies and misdemeanors for adults and juveniles.
Represent all State and County Offices in all legal proceedings in the County.
Represent Petitioners in all cases of child abuse and neglect.
Represent Petitioners in all mental hygiene proceedings.
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