Investigator - Boston/Roxbury/Malden - Children & Family Law Division/Youth Advocacy Division

About the Role

The Children and Family Law and Youth Advocacy Divisions of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) are seeking two full-time Investigators to support the Boston, Roxbury, and Malden Offices. These newly created positions will conduct investigations and aid in trial preparation for CPCS Trial Attorneys in Care and Protection, Children Requiring Assistance, Guardianship of Minors, Delinquency, and Youthful Offender criminal cases in Suffolk and Middlesex County Juvenile Courts.

Investigators are key members of the defense team who assist in developing defense strategies for indigent persons by interviewing witnesses, investigating allegations made by the Department of Children and Families and the District Attorneys Office, and documenting crime scenes. The Investigator's role is critical to maintaining or reunifying families and keeping children out of the juvenile justice system.

The Investigator will be seated in the CAFL Boston Office and will report to the Attorney in Charge of the office, as well as work under the direction of the Attorneys in Charge of the YAD Roxbury and YAD Malden Offices and the Supervising Investigator.

Our Values

• Courage
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

Mission Statement

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We embrace and endorse diversity, equity, and inclusion as our core values to ensure that CPCS management and staff represent a broad range of human differences and experience, provide a respectful work climate, and promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members.

Agency Overview

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings.

Division Overviews

Children and Family Law Division (CAFL): Committed to ensuring that every indigent child, parent, and/or guardian in Massachusetts has access to zealous legal representation in family regulation/child welfare cases. CAFL provides a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to client representation, bringing together attorneys, social workers, and support staff.

Youth Advocacy Division (YAD): The juvenile defender division of CPCS, committed to ensuring that every indigent child in Massachusetts has access to zealous legal representation in delinquency, GCL Revocation, juvenile murder, juvenile appeals, and youthful offender cases. YAD provides leadership, training, support, and oversight to the indigent juvenile defense bar in Massachusetts.

Office Locations

CAFL Boston Trial Office: Located in downtown Boston, accessible by MBTA subway and buses, Amtrak Commuter Rail, and ferry services. The office shares space with CPCS Administration and other divisions in a modernized building with nearby restaurants, retail businesses, and historic landmarks.

Roxbury Office: Located in one of Boston’s 23 official neighborhoods, known as the "heart of Black culture in Boston." Roxbury has a diverse community including African American, Hispanic, Asian, and White families, with a total population of nearly 60,000. Accessible via MBTA subway and bus services.

YAD Malden Office: Covers Cambridge, Chelsea, Framingham, and Waltham Juvenile Courts. Malden is home to a diverse community and has a population of nearly 60,000. The office includes an Attorney in Charge, five staff attorneys, a Social Service Advocate, and an Administrative Assistant. Accessible via MBTA subway and bus services.

Responsibilities

• Locating and interviewing cooperative and, at times, uncooperative witnesses and/or alleged victims.
• Investigating and documenting allegations made by the Department of Children and Families and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, as well as crime scenes, commonly in neighborhoods designated as ‘high crime areas’ by local law enforcement.
• Preparing and presenting oral and/or written reports based on interviews and/or information obtained during investigations.
• Conducting surveillance, measuring, diagramming, and photographing locations relevant to the defense strategy.
• Utilizing computers for online access to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, public records, databases, social networking sites, and various online searches.
• Keeping accurate records of all phases of the investigation and being accountable for all aspects of the investigation.
• Networking and maintaining contact with individuals in various agencies (police departments, courts, state agencies, private sector agencies) to facilitate access to necessary information.
• Reviewing and analyzing police reports and witness statements.
• Maintaining open lines of communication with attorneys regarding investigative updates and case strategy, and meeting all deadlines.
• Maintaining professional and productive relationships with attorneys and other staff members.
• Evaluating individuals and factual situations to aid attorneys in preparing and presenting a defense.
• Advising attorneys on changes and developments in investigative tools and techniques.
• Developing familiarity with Massachusetts child welfare laws and regulations, criminal laws, and rules of criminal and civil procedure.
• Serving summonses on witnesses and document record keepers.
• Arranging timely appearance of witnesses at court, including providing transportation for clients and/or witnesses when necessary.
• Preparing exhibits for trials and hearings.
• Working independently and outside of normal business hours as needed.
• Participating in training programs for attorneys and investigators.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate degree with coursework in criminal justice, forensics, law, or a related area of study; a minimum of three years of experience in juvenile or criminal defense investigations or a related investigative field (primarily involving interviewing persons, obtaining facts, inspecting records, and writing reports); or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills.
• A bachelor’s degree may substitute for up to 2 years of investigatory experience.
• Valid and active Massachusetts driver’s license and full access to a dependable automobile.
• Access to home internet sufficient to work remotely.

The successful candidate will be subject to a background check including CORI and driving history reviews.