SERVICES
From Misdemeanors to the Most Serious Felony Charges, Every Case Deserves Our Full Commitment.
Accepting privately retained cases and court-assigned matters through the
New York City and Suffolk County 18-B Assigned Counsel Programs.
Comprehensive Psychosocial Assessments & Investigations
Our licensed clinical social workers conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and mitigation investigations to identify, assess, and contextualize the factors that may have contributed to an individual’s involvement in the criminal legal system. Utilizing a clinically informed and trauma-responsive approach, these investigations examine the interplay of developmental, psychological, familial, social, cultural, environmental, and systemic factors relevant to the client’s history, functioning, and circumstances.
The investigative process may include:
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Conducting in-depth clinical and psychosocial interviews with the client
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Interviewing family members, significant others, and other collateral sources to corroborate and expand upon the client’s history
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Obtaining and analyzing relevant educational, medical, psychiatric, substance use treatment, employment, social service, and legal records
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Assessing developmental history, trauma exposure, family dynamics, attachment and relationships, educational functioning, cultural identity, religion and spirituality, socioeconomic circumstances, and community and environmental influences
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Evaluating mental health, medical conditions, substance use, cognitive or developmental limitations, and other psychosocial stressors that may be clinically relevant
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Consulting with current and former treatment providers to clarify diagnostic and treatment history and establish continuity of care
The information obtained is integrated into a comprehensive clinical and psychosocial formulation that provides context for the client’s behavior while identifying relevant mitigating circumstances, strengths, protective factors, treatment needs, and rehabilitative potential.
As part of this process, we also conduct an individualized needs assessment to identify appropriate clinical interventions, treatment services, community-based resources, and support systems. Recommendations are designed to address underlying psychosocial and behavioral needs, strengthen protective factors, reduce the risk of future justice-system involvement, and support long-term stability, rehabilitation, and successful community functioning.
Pre-Pleading & Pre-Sentencing Memorandum
Following a comprehensive mitigation investigation and clinical assessment, we prepare individualized forensic mitigation reports and memoranda for consideration by defense counsel, prosecutors, and the Court.
These reports integrate the client’s developmental, psychological, psychiatric, educational, familial, social, and environmental history to provide a clinically informed understanding of the circumstances relevant to the client’s involvement in the criminal legal system.
Our reports identify and analyze significant mitigating factors, treatment needs, protective factors, strengths, and rehabilitative potential. When appropriate, we provide clinically grounded recommendations for treatment, supportive services, and community-based interventions tailored to the client’s individual needs and circumstances.
Findings are supported, whenever possible, through collateral interviews and corroborating documentation, which may include:
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Educational and academic records
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Medical, psychiatric, and mental health records
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Substance use and treatment histories
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Employment and vocational records
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Social service and institutional records
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Relevant legal records
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Family and developmental history
Letters of support from family members, treatment providers, educators, employers, mentors, and community members may also be incorporated to provide additional insight into the client’s character, functioning, relationships, support network, and capacity for rehabilitation.
The resulting report provides a comprehensive, evidence-based portrayal of the individual beyond the presenting criminal charges and assists counsel and the Court in considering individualized, treatment-informed, and rehabilitative case resolutions when appropriate.
Youthful Offender Adjudication
Under New York law, eligible individuals charged with crimes committed when they were at least 16 and under 19 years of age may qualify for Youthful Offender (YO) treatment. A YO adjudication provides young people with an opportunity to move forward without many of the lasting consequences associated with a criminal record.
Fidelis Mitigation Consultants conducts comprehensive, developmentally informed mitigation investigations to assist defense counsel in advocating for YO treatment.
Our licensed clinical social workers assess factors including developmental maturity, trauma, mental health, substance use, educational history, family dynamics, peer and environmental influences, treatment needs, strengths, protective factors, and rehabilitative potential.
Raise the Age & Extraordinary Circumstances Motions
We also assist defense attorneys representing Adolescent Offenders under New York’s Raise the Age law.
When the prosecution files an Extraordinary Circumstances motion seeking to prevent an eligible case from being removed to Family Court, we conduct focused, time-sensitive mitigation investigations to assist counsel in preparing a response.
Through clinical interviews, collateral contacts, record review, and psychosocial assessment, we provide a developmentally informed understanding of the young person, identify relevant mitigating factors, and assess treatment needs, available supports, and capacity for rehabilitation.
Treatment Referrals, Placement & Monitoring
When clinically indicated or court-mandated, Fidelis Mitigation Consultants assists clients in identifying and accessing appropriate mental health, substance use, and specialized behavioral health services. Referrals are individualized based on the client’s clinical presentation, psychosocial history, treatment needs, legal requirements, level of care, and geographic accessibility.
Referrals and placements may include:
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Individual and family psychotherapy
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Mental health and psychiatric treatment
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Substance use disorder treatment
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Co-occurring mental health and substance use treatment
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Trauma-informed treatment
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Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
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Anger management and behavioral interventions
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Domestic violence intervention programs
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Sex offense-specific treatment
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Gambling disorder treatment
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Impaired Driving Programs (IDP) and related services
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Residential, outpatient, and intensive outpatient programs
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Specialized forensic and court-mandated treatment
When requested, we provide ongoing case coordination and monitoring to assess treatment engagement, attendance, progress, and compliance. We communicate with treatment providers, assist clients in addressing barriers to successful participation, and document meaningful progress throughout the course of treatment.
Relevant treatment participation and progress may be communicated to defense counsel and, when appropriate, incorporated into mitigation reports, formal progress updates, and court advocacy. This allows treatment engagement, demonstrated behavioral change, strengths, and rehabilitative progress to be meaningfully considered throughout the legal process.
Fidelis Mitigation Consultants provides treatment referrals, placement assistance, care coordination, and monitoring. Clinical treatment is provided by independent licensed practitioners and treatment programs.