This is Paralegal Angela's first solo interview at her new family law practice firm. She has done interviews before but never for a client seeking a divorce. Describe all of the interpersonal skills that Angela should consider in order to make her first family law client interview a successful one.

What will be an ideal response?


Angela must make sure that she shows the client her competence and, by extension, her firm's competence, in handling the client's matter. She must make the client feel that her information will be kept in strict confidence. At all times during any client contact, Angela must maintain a professional demeanor. She must avoid befriending the client by developing a personal relationship. In addition, Angela must refrain from making moral judgments about the client and giving her opinion on the client's life.
Angela has always been a good listener, but now must demonstrate that to the client by giving the client her attention and watching her and her client's body language. She should take good notes and provide the client with feedback to show that she is listening and hearing what the client says. If the client appears to be nervous, Angela can talk about the weather or if she had problems traveling to the office, and she could offer her a beverage from the snack bar in the employee lunch room.
Finally, Angela should be prepared to refer the client, with the attorney's approval, to such services as displaced homemaker groups, therapists or support groups, Internet websites, hotline telephone information lines, substance-abuse or mental health counselors, domestic violence services, and perhaps pastoral counselors. Angela should have contact information for all these available when needed.

Criminal Justice

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Indicate whether the statement is true or false

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______ theorists believe juveniles’ self-perceptions are based on how they are thought of by others and how they are treated by people around them.

A. Disorganization B. Control C. Labeling D. Developmental

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?Mary had just been arrested for possession of marijuana.  But during the arrest, Bill entered the apartment and tried to intervene on Mary's behalf. He immediately became a person of interest to the police, and the officers on the scene became keenly interested in the relationship between Bill and Mary. Mary claims she was an unwilling participant in the entire episode and that Bill compelled her into using and dealing marijuana.  The only viable defense Mary can claim would be: a. intoxication. b. dursess. c. mistake of fact. d. insanity. e. infancy.

What will be an ideal response?

Criminal Justice

Which of the following amendments has most recently been held applicable to the states?

a. the Second Amendment right to bear arms b. the Fifth Amendment guarantee of criminal prosecution only on a grand jury indictment c. the Seventh Amendment guarantee of a jury trial in a civil case d. the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures

Criminal Justice