What is a Mitigation Specialist?
According to the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services, “A mitigation specialist is a member of the defense team that typically has a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or a related field and can provide expert insight into recognizing a defendant’s possible mental health, developmental disorders, intellectual disability, history of neglect, abuse and addictions.”
Why should I use a Mitigation Specialist on my case?
A mitigation specialist has clinical and information-gathering skills that most lawyers do not have. They have the ability to recognize mental health conditions- including trauma- that may have affected the defendant. They can help the defense team to identify the most appropriate experts to examine the defendant. A mitigation specialist can document the psycho-social history of the client through record collection and review, interviews with important witnesses, and information about the social history of the client’s life. The mitigation specialist can often perform these tasks more efficiently and effectively than attorneys or other experts on the case, making their assistance cost-effective. The information they uncover can be used to present a cohesive theory of the case and make a compelling argument for a mitigated sentence. Mitigation specialists can often digest records into a chronological timeline or social history, using charts and pictures that can be helpful in succinct presentations to the state for negotiations. The close rapport that mitigation specialists maintain with clients and client family members can be an important part of successfully negotiating a plea in a case.
How does payment work?
At this time, Lindsay only accepts cases at a flat fee. After learning more about the case from the attorney, Lindsay will provide a comprehensive flat-fee estimate that does not include reimbursements for things like travel and testimony.
Can you bill my Insurance?
Unfortunately, Forensic services are not covered by Insurance. All clients are considered private pay.
Can I hire you outside of Pennsylvania?
Yes! Thanks to improvements in technology I can serve clients across the United States.
What Do I Need to Know about working with you?
Do not overuse written communication. Just like working with your attorney, keeping written communication to a minimum is essential. This is to ensure that all of your information remains private. Email and text are imperfect and can potentially be subpoenaed- for those reasons it is crucial to share all information during in-person or video visits as often as possible.
I may ask to speak with family members, friends, and co-workers to obtain a full picture of your life. Think about individuals in your life who may be able to speak to your character as this is an imperative part of the mitigation process.
I might ask you to sign Releases Of Information (ROIs) to request records- including mental health and medical health. I will use these records to support mitigating themes in mitigation reports or presentations.
