NCJ Number
44347
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS OF PARALEGAL PERSONNEL AND THE LAW-RELATED SERVICES THAT PARALEGALS AND OTHER NONLAWYERS CAN PROVIDE FOR ELDERLY PERSONS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
PARALEGALS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO PRACTICE LAW BUT CAN ASSIST ATTORNEYS BY DOING RESEARCH, DRAFTING DOCUMENTS, GATHERING FACTS, INVESTIGATING, ASSISTING IN PREPARATION FOR LITIGATION, AND PERFORMING OTHER TASKS FORMERLY DONE BY ATTORNEYS. PARALEGALS ARE ACTIVE IN LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR AND IN SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. HERE THE PARALEGALS OFTEN INTERVIEW CLIENTS, TAKE PRELIMINARY STEPS TO HELP RESOLVE LAW-RELATED PROBLEMS, AND, IN CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEYS, ASSIST IN THE ASSERTION OF LEGAL RIGHTS. FEDERAL REGULATIONS ALLOW PARALEGALS AND OTHER NONLAWYERS TO HANDLE A CLIENT'S CASE THROUGH THE HEARING STAGE WHEN THE CLIENT IS SEEKING PUBLIC BENEFITS. PARALEGAL PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY OFFER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO OLDER PERSONS AND EXTEND SERVICES TO ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT RETAIN AN ATTORNEY. THE OREGON STATE BAR IS THE ONLY BAR TO HAVE ESTABLISHED A CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS. THE NATIONAL PARALEGAL INSTITUTE (NPI) IS CONCERNED ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN PARALEGAL CERTIFICATION AND IN ACCREDITATION OF PARALEGAL TRAINING PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION TO PARALEGALS, COMMUNITY SERVICE ADVISORS (E.G., CASEWORKERS, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SPECIALISTS, AND OUTREACH WORKERS EMPLOYED BY SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES) ASSIST CLIENTS WITH LAW-RELATED PROBLEMS. THE NPI IS INVOLVED IN TRAINING COMMUNITY SERVICE ADVISORS EMPLOYED BY AREA AGENCIES ON AGING IN SUCH MATTERS AS PUBLIC BENEFITS, INCOME MAINTENANCE, PREVENTIVE LAW, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, PROTECTIVE SERVICES, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, AND NURSING HOME ADVOCACY.