General
Q: How do I become a volunteer?
Attend one volunteer orientation. FDLA usually hosts at least one orientation/training per month. To ask questions regarding the program and to RSVP, email .
Q: What do volunteers do?
Volunteerattorneysor711lawstudentstakeatleastone4-hourshiftpermonthasFirstDefenders responding to FDLA’s 24-hour hotline. During shifts, the on call First Defender will be called to representclientswhoareinChicagopolicecustodytoinformthemoftheirrightsandhelpenforce them.
Q: What kind of clients do we serve?
Most of the arrestees we represent are low income Black and Latino youth and adults on Chicago’s south and west sides, where schools and clinics have been closed, jobs are scarce, poverty is high, and police and child welfare systems are aggressive.
Q: Does FDLA carry malpractice insurance for volunteers?
Yes.
Q: Do I need to have a car to volunteer?
Preferably yes. The representation that First Defenders provide is time sensitive so it is highly recommended that you have access to a car while volunteering for a given shift. Other forms of reliable transportation are acceptable, but it is imperative that you arrive at the station as quickly aspossible.Aback-upattorneyisoncallifyourtransportationbreaksdownoryoucannotgettoa station within anhour. First Defense will accommodate volunteers by limiting their station visits to a particular region of the city.
Q: What if I do not have any criminal law experience?
Criminal law experience is not required to volunteer for FDLA’s 24-hour hotline. Our training and staff will support you to represent your clients effectively at the station.
Q: What if I am a law student?
Lawstudentsmustobtaina711licensetovolunteerforFDLA’s24-hourhotline.FDLAwillsponsor law students and graduates who are eligible for a 711 license. If you are in need of a 711 application email Jaclyn DeSana at .
Q: What if I still don't feel ready after training?
FDLAoffers“ride-alongshifts”wheresupervisingstaffattorneysaccompanynewvolunteersatthe station. New volunteers are encouraged to take ride-along shifts until they are comfortable with representingclientsontheirown.Ourstaffattorneysareavailableatallhoursofthedayandnight to assistvolunteers.
Volunteer Shifts
Q: How do I sign up for shifts?
Our online scheduling website, Shiftplanning, allows you to easily sign up for the shift of your choice.Itisaccessedthroughourwebsiteat email, text or call FDLA staff to schedule it foryou.
Q: What is the shift schedule?
Shifts are broken up into 4 hour increments: midnight -4:00am (1st shift), 4:00am- 8:00am (2nd shift), 8:00am -12:00pm (3rd shift), 12:00pm- 4:00pm (4th shift), 4:00pm- 8:00pm (5th shift), 8:00pm- midnight (6th shift). Currently the Cook County Public Defender’s Office is taking our station visits 8am-4pm Monday through Friday. Because of this, volunteers are encouraged to choose evening or weekend shifts.
Q: Can I choose my own shifts?
Yes. FDLA tries to be flexible and accommodate your schedule. You choose the shift that works best for you. Regular monthly shifts are encouraged; e.g. “every 1st Wednesday for the 4th shift” or “every 2nd Saturday for the 2nd shift.” If you need any special accommodations during your shift, please contact Nick Bedenk, , or Jaclyn DeSana, .
Q: How far in advance can I choose a shift?
You can choose a shift as far in advance as you would like. We do ask that you sign up for a shift at least 48 hours in advance so we can notify our hotline service that you will be working.
Q: Where do I have to be while taking a shift?
YoucancoveryourshiftfromanywhereinChicagoland.Youcanstayathome,besittingatacoffee shop, or even running errands. Just make sure that you have your phone on and that you will be abletoarriveatthepolicestationshouldastationvisitbenecessarywithinanhouroftakingacall from our hotlinestaff.
Q: What if I have to cancel a shift?
You have the ability to delete yourself from the volunteer schedule if plans change. Please provide 24-48 hours’ notice if this happens. You can also leave a note on the “wall” in Shiftplanning or contact one of our staff members who can remove you from the schedule.
Answering calls
Q: Do clients call my phone directly?
No, FDLA has people who answer the hotline and screen calls. You will be called only for someone who is currently in Chicago police custody. Our staff handles all referral requests, etc.
Q: How many calls can I expect to receive?
Generally, a volunteer attorney receives 0 to 3 calls within one 4-hour shift. The number of calls can also vary depending on the season and the time of day. Our busiest times tend to be Monday through Thursday, from 12pm to 12am (noon to midnight). Summer is a high-volume time.
Q: What do I do if I get multiple calls?
Ifyoureceivemultiplecalls,tendtotheclientwhohasthemostseriouscircumstanceandcallyour supervising attorney to assist you with theother(s). First Defense will provide you with a Call Hierarchy at orientation to guide you through choosing which client to tend to first.
Q: How do I know if a client is at Homan Square?
There is no sure way to know if a client is at Homan Square, but a clear sign is not being able to tracetheclientatCentralBookingoranypolicedistrictordetectiveunit.HomanSquarealsotends to hold arrestees who were picked up for alleged drug or gang activity. It is likely that you will not be able to see your client at Homan Square, but First Defenders must still go so that they can alert the officers that the client is represented and document that you were on site and available. The supervising staff attorney is always available to answerquestions.
At the police station
Q: What do I bring to the station?
Here is a list of what you will need during station visits:
1)ARDC card or 711license
2)PhotoID
3)Volunteer Manual or Volunteer ManualSupplement
4)Declaration of Rights– Notice of Representation forms, printed in triplicate (provided byFDLA)
5)FDLA Call Sheet
6)Pen and Paper
Note: First Defenders do not bring their phones into the station.
Q: What do I wear?
You can wear anything that you are comfortable in and should focus on getting to the client. Some First Defenders find police more cooperative when they visit the station in business or business casual attire.
Q: Is there parking at the police station?
Yes. Parking is available at all the police stations either right in front or very close by. You must pay attention to the parking signs.
Q: What do I tell the client?
Our service primarily entails:
1)Informing the client of their constitutional rights to silence and to counsel;and
2)Helping then to assert their rights and warning them against making statements.
As a volunteer, you are expected to make sure the client is aware of his or her rights, and knows how to invoke them. You are to document and advocate as necessary to watchdog these and other procedural justice issues. The actual details vary by the client. We cover this topic more during volunteer orientation.
Q: Will I have to argue with officers?
Thepotentialtoengageinargumentsdependsonthecircumstances.FirstDefendersfindtheirown style and build on our tool kit for representing custodial suspects. We strive to prepare First Defenders with the case law, policies and supplemental information to support CPD’s cooperation in respecting your client’s rights. First Defenders receive this information at volunteer orientation and from supervising staffattorneys.
First Defenders provide a valuable and much needed service protecting constitutional rights at the station.Weencourageyouto#Give72!Volunteeran average of 6hourspermonth,forayear.Thismirrorsthe 72 hours that a detainee could be in police custody withoutrepresentation.