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About the Role

The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice is seeking to fill criminal defense investigative positions across five trial offices. Investigators will work closely with defense teams to advocate for the rights of marginalized individuals, handling cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies. This role requires initiative, resourcefulness, sound judgment, and determination to conduct thorough and independent investigations.

Responsibilities

Locate and interview complainants, witnesses, defendants, and other relevant parties
Investigate crime scenes and other relevant locations
Document scenes (photographs, video, diagrams, measurements, etc.)
Create crime scene sketches/diagrams/maps
Conduct background checks, internet, and social media investigations/research
Use databases to retrieve relevant case information (e.g., CLEAR, DMV, ACRIS, etc.)
Prepare and maintain accurate written case summaries and timely updates in the case management system
Testify in court
Accompany all defense players to crime scenes and relevant locations
Participate in and facilitate job-shadowing opportunities for new colleagues, interns, and attorneys
Witness lineups and other police procedures (e.g., ballistics test, examination of evidence at DA’s offices, vehicular inspection at NYPD Auto Yards, etc.)
Discover and manage physical and digital evidence (e.g., cellphones, surveillance video, social media, etc.)
Locate and extract surveillance footage from varying locations and buildings
Communicate with other city agencies as necessary
Provide accurate, detailed reports on investigations and maintain necessary documents (e.g., chain of custody, witness statements, investigation summaries etc.)
Travel within the assigned borough and to other boroughs, as needed
Communicate with clients and their family members, friends, and other relevant individuals, as needed
Communicate and participate in case conferences with other members of the defense team to effectively analyze cases and develop investigative strategies
Travel within borough as well as out-of-borough, as needed
Locate and establish contact with missing clients in person, as needed
Serve subpoenas, motions, and other legal documents, as required
Conduct fieldwork during regular office hours and at irregular hours, as directed
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience in criminal justice, investigations, or a related field
Prior experience conducting criminal investigations preferred; relevant experience may include investigative internships
Demonstrated commitment to seeking justice for indigent individuals and advancing zealous criminal defense representation
Ability to analyze and evaluate facts, exercise sound judgment, and demonstrate a high level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism
Demonstrated ability to listen attentively and ask effective, relevant questions
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with social media platforms
Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and concise written materials
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of individuals
Ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork during regular office hours and irregular hours, as required
Ability and willingness to travel up to 95% of the time, as required
Familiarity with the neighborhoods and communities within the assigned borough
Use of a personal vehicle is required for investigative positions based in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island Trial Offices
Additional training or certifications related to criminal investigations preferred
Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred; proficiency in other languages is also desirable
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.
The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.
Employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice.

Skills

Criminal justice
Investigations
Microsoft Office
Social media platforms
Written communication
Interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Fieldwork
Spanish fluency (preferred)
Other language proficiency (desirable)

Location

New York City
Bronx
Brooklyn
Manhattan
Queens
Staten Island

Work Type

Full-time
Fieldwork during regular and irregular hours

Experience Level

Prior experience conducting criminal investigations preferred
Relevant experience may include investigative internships

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience

Salary/Compensations

$64,207 - $92,290

Benefits

Health insurance
Paid vacation
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
State and Federal loan forgiveness programs
Potential New York state assistance with loan repayments

About the Company

As New York City's leading public defender, The Legal Aid Society is committed to vigorously advocating for the rights of the most marginalized and disenfranchised individuals.
The reach of its Criminal Defense Practice extends beyond the courtroom, with a strong presence and collaborative partnerships within the communities it serves.
The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation.
We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs.
Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.

Equal Opportunity

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.