Holistic Defense: Attorney Perception and Social Work Integration in the Courtroom

Abstract

The goal of this project is to survey attorney perceptions of social workers. This will lead to suggestions on how social workers can be more effectively integrated into the courtroom and legal system as well as to suggestions for further study. This goal reflects Person-In-Environment theory by highlighting the importance of attorneys needing to understand the contextual variables social workers can explain to the court, thereby explaining what social, political, and economic issues may have caused a client to be involved in crime in the first place. This goal also reflects Holistic Defense Theory by ensuring that clients legal and social needs are met by highlighting the need for both attorneys and social workers as part of the defense team. Lastly, this project may contribute to making justice in the courtroom reachable for traditionally disaffected people who can be made whole again by legal and social intervention.