ABOUT
Sarah Berman is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in legal defense-based services across Colorado. While receiving her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Denver, Sarah pursued experience in forensic social work and film production. Though they sound different, these two areas go hand in hand to enhance legal defense strategy through the use of well-crafted and convincing story.
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Mitigation film is a growing resource in the justice system. Using film offers new creative ways to present defense clients' life histories to strive for greater compassion in the court and negotiation. Combined with forensic social work services such as written mitigation, resource identification, and client advocacy, Sarah can work with clients to strive for the best courtroom results.
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WHAT CANÂ FORENSIC SOCIAL WORK DO?
Forensic social work is a growing field in legal defense work. Social workers are able to work with clients in different ways than attorneys and investigators by virtue of our training in how mental health and environmental factors shape individuals and influence their actions.
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There are many techniques social workers can use to support attorneys and clients. These include but are not limited to:
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- Biopsychosocial interviewing
- Record request and review
- Report writing such as mitigation, life history, sentencing recommendations, alternatives, treatment possibilities
- Coordination of treatment and community resources
- Connecting current research
- Interviews of friends, family, witnesses, and victims through a social work lens to aid defense efforts
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HOW CAN FILM SUPPORT LEGAL DEFENSE?
Film provides opportunities for sensory experience that written work can't always accomplish as easily. Film has been increasingly used in the courtroom in any case, but can be particularly helpful in post-conviction relief and clemency. Short films can highlight progress your client has made since their conviction, or provide mitigation for pending charges by visualizing your client's history and/or upbringing. Materials and strategies we can use to best tell your client's visual story include:
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- Archival photos and videos from your client or found through other digital sources
- Filmed interviews with your clients, family and friends, experts, teachers, prison guards, and beyond
- Individually-crafted storylines to match defense strategy and guide film development
- Lighting and audio techniques to add to story development and perception of your client