Roles of a Paralegal in a Criminal Case

Paralegals are vital to the support of criminal case matters. They wear many hats that span different tasks, titles, and work product that provides invaluable contributions to assist attorneys. We will go into detail each role a paralegal may take on during criminal cases and common tasks for each.

1. Investigator

 As an investigator, paralegals can gather and analyze evidence, interview witnesses and victims, serve subpoenas, and prepare material for court appearances. Investigators need to understand legal terminology, police processes, criminal court procedures, and thoroughly analyze data to support or refute defense theories.

***It is important to note while investigators can be used to take pictures of the crime scene and record statements of witnesses, this would also implicate them to be called to the stand in court. Depending on the attorney’s trial strategy, they may not want their paralegal to be questioned on the stand. 

2. Legal (Administrative) Assistant

Many attorneys use the term “legal assistants” and “paralegals” synonymously. However, there are vast differences that may vary based on education, experience, and state qualifications where the individual works. Legal assistants tend to handle more administrative tasks such as printing, copying, e-filing, and contact with clients. 

They also may have less education than a paralegal requires such as a high school diploma or associate degree. Many paralegals take on the role of a legal administrative assistant working in a small law firm or specific legal department in a medium or larger sized law firm.

3. Legal Intake/Receptionist

Paralegals may also correspond with potential clients and conduct intakes. Intake specialists and receptionists need to be proficient in customer service, asking applicable questions about their case, familiar with de-escalation, and detail-oriented in documenting information on criminal case matters. 

Paralegals conducting intakes and interacting with clients can build a foundation of knowledge about the client to best assist their needs and wants on how to resolve their case.

4. Law Clerk

“Law Clerks” and “Paralegals” are also terms that may be used interchangeably by attorneys. One of the main differences between these titles is that Law Clerks traditionally attend law school while working in a law firm. Paralegals simply complete an approved paralegal program and are not required to attend law school.

Senior paralegals with a great deal of knowledge and experience in a specific area of law may be given tasks similarly assigned to law clerks that are very substantive in nature. Assignments may include complex legal research, detailed briefs, motions, or legal correspondence, as well as drafting new templates according to local/state law and court rules.

5. Legal Operations Specialist

Legal Operations roles are new to the legal field. With the amount of new legal software, automation, AI, and paperless law firm practices, this may require an individual that knows how to manage legal tech tools to assist law firms in their case management and business operations.

With paralegals being an integral part of the law firm team, they are usually the “go-tos” for learning and implementing legal tech related to case management, billing, invoicing, calendaring, drafting templates, and other systems based on the needs of the firm.

***Have questions? Interested in services? Contact Lucid Legal Support and we’d be happy to discuss! We provide flexible, cost-friendly paralegal services which include:

• Criminal Record Searches

• Criminal Defense

• Criminal Expungement

• Pardon Application

• Legal Operations/Project Management

You can reach us at info@lucidlegalsupport.com  or (651) 300-7941.

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