Running head: SOCIAL WORK IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM 1

The Field of Forensic Social Work It’s Function in the Criminal Justice System and the Populations Who Benefit
Jennifer A. Dimaira
Seton Hall University

Abstract
This paper explores the many facets social work provides in collaboration with the criminal justice system escaping widespread notice as well as the roles played in the judicial court systems. This paper takes a look at the point and the many purposes of forensic social work. Covering their role in multidisciplinary mitigation teams and collaboration between social workers and lawyers in criminal defense also the type service social work practitioners provide to inmate populations; the active
(The Development Of Forensic Social Work,p.217)

The Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD) is a not-for-profit organization that has been providing high quality appellate and post-conviction representation to indigent persons since 1988. The office of the Appellate Defenders fills an important need in the criminal justice system and advocacy for the destitute. OAD is the second longest-standing institutional indigent defense office and oldest provider of appellate representation to indigent persons convicted of felonies. (www.appellatedefender.org ) Attorneys participate in the Office of Appellate Defender's comprehensive training program, which focuses on appellate advocacy, client relations, procedural and substantive criminal law. The up and coming collaboration between the fields of Public defense and forensic social work is monumental in the need for holistic trial representation. But the need for holistic representation does not end at sentencing. According to The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers describes the ”catch basin for the breakdown of social services inside communities” depicting the defense function within the criminal justice system given by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
The assistance that social workers can provide is an appellate office takes on the role of assisting with the legal representation thorough investigation,