A Day in the Life of a Justice System Advocacte

As a Justice System Advocate my job is to help victims and survivors of domestic violence and child abuse navigate the legal process. My goal is to make the process of a criminal case slightly less daunting and advocate for the survivor’s desired outcome.  

I work out of the Parma Municipal Courthouse serving seven of the cities that use that courthouse. All seven cities schedule Pre Trial meetings on Mondays and a lot can happen with arrests over the weekend. On Mondays, I spend the first couple hours attending meetings with prosecutors and clients to make sure everyone is able to talk about the ongoing cases. Then I will work on any new cases that might have come in over the weekend. This is the busiest day of the week, and it can get a little hectic, but I enjoy staying busy working with clients throughout the day.

The rest of the week is a little calmer. I start by checking my email for new court related calls from our Helpline Advocates and I call the clerk’s office to check for new cases by 9:30am. If there aren’t any new cases, I can spend the day checking in with my current clients, working on referrals, and updating notes.

 If there is a new case, particularly one involving a request for a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), I contact the victim as soon as possible and head to the courthouse to meet in person. Once I get to the courthouse, I meet with the client to discuss what to expect for the initial hearing. Many clients share that they have never interacted with the court system before, so just understanding the process can reduce some stress.

I am then able to attend the hearing with the client and provide emotional support. Courts are often working at their own pace so sometimes we spend hours sitting together discussing the case and their lives. Sometimes the job is just being a calm, supportive presence for someone on a stressful day.

After the initial arraignment hearing, I can continue to work with a victim through the court process. This can include attending Pre Trials, talking with prosecutors, assisting with their victim impact statement, or prepping for trial. Regardless of how they want to engage in the process, I do my best to focus on their safety by discussing safety planning and other resources available.

Some days are more frustrating than others and in many ways the court system is not built to take on the nuances of a survivor’s experience. But there are many instances when a client feels seen and heard and finally is allowed to put a voice to their experience. I’m thankful that I get to witness this strength in survivors every day and I get to be a resource and step in their healing process.

We are always here for you when you need to talk. Call or text our 24-Hour Helpline: 216.391.4357 (HELP) or live chat.