Arraignment Paralegal, Criminal Defense Practice

Job Description

Job Description

Arraignment Paralegal, Criminal Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking an Arraignment Paralegal to join the Criminal Defense Practice in the Brooklyn office. 

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty. 

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.

BDS’ Criminal Defense Practice zealously defends people who are accused of a crime in Brooklyn, fighting to protect the individual rights of clients’ and minimize harm from involvement with the criminal legal system. BDS’ staff consists of attorneys, social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative professionals who work collaboratively to bring about the best outcome for each client. 

Under the supervision of the Director of Administrative Support, the Arraignment Paralegal provides support to Brooklyn Defender Services staff and clients in criminal arraignment court. Arraignment is the first appearance made before a judge after arrest. At that time, a BDS attorney will be assigned to interview and represent the client and a bail application will be made at that time. The Arraignment Paralegal supports this work by obtaining paperwork, assuring cases are being interviewed, keeping track of client outcomes, entering cases in the case management system and interacting with family members and clients, if they are released. 

Responsibilities

• The Arraignment Paralegal is based in court during the arraignment shifts where multiple attorneys interview clients who were arrested over the past 24 hours. 
• The arraignment paralegal is responsible for keeping up with the cases as they are being given to BDS for interviews of clients and preparing them for the attorneys as well as assuring they are properly documented and entered into the case management system. 
• Some duties include the following:
  • Collect paperwork from the court, organize the files, assure cases are being handled and enter cases into the case-management system. 
  • Create paper files for new clients when required.
  • Look up potential conflicts of interest in the case management system. 
  • Assist attorneys with looking up information in case management system.
  • Provide carfare to clients who are released.
  • Enter data into case management system.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Very organized.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced in-court environment.
• Interested in assisting people who have been arrested and their families during the stressful arraignment appearance.
• Good at handling multiple tasks, prioritizing appropriately and ensuring all tasks are completed on time. 
• Accurate and detail oriented.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office. 
• Comfortable and confident in learning case management and document management software. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to remain calm under pressure.

Position Information

This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. Since arraignment court operates 7 days per week from 8 am to 1 am the next day, the regular schedule will include some evening, weekend and holiday shifts. It also requires flexibility to stay later than the scheduled end of the shift, because sometimes the court extends the hours. BDS provides carfare home when an evening shift is worked. BDS also provides a meal stipend for weekend, night and holiday arraignment shifts. 

The position is based at the Brooklyn Criminal Court and BDS’ offices in Brooklyn, New York. The in-person requirement for this position is 5 days per week. Arraignment paralegals generally do less than 5 shifts per week in court and do other tasks in the office to fulfill their weekly days. 

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $ 73,000- $78,000. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies. 

To Apply

Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. 

Please submit your application by October 23, 2026. 

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse work environment and supports a nondiscrimination policy in all employment practices. We are focused on equity and inclusion and thus strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, experiences, and other characteristics that make us different to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, you may contact the Managing Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at  cwallace @ bds.org .