The work of duty counsel changes client’s lives, says Hodon Dirir
When a frightened first-time offender stands before the court, Hodon Dirir is often their first line of defense. As a duty counsel in Ontario’s Halton region, she works tirelessly to promote access to justice while helping vulnerable clients get the support they need.
Duty counsel are usually the first legal support for low-income clients, many of whom come from marginalized communities. When someone suddenly finds themselves in the justice system, it can feel complex and overwhelming. Duty counsel are legal professionals who can help them understand what’s happening, what options are available, and how to exercise their rights. This role is crucial in the justice system, helping reduce disruption and delay in the legal process for people in need and ensuring access to justice for all Canadians.
Hodon is a staff duty counsel in criminal law who has worked for LAO for nine years in the Halton region, which includes Milton, Burlington, Oakville, Georgetown and Acton.
Home again
Hodon grew up in Toronto and earned an undergraduate degree in history and political science from the University of Toronto in 2003 after graduating from Emery Collegiate High School. She subsequently completed law school in Michigan and is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Hodon worked as an immigration lawyer in the United States for a few years before returning to Ontario in 2014 and joining LAO in 2015.
Just as an emergency room doctor triages patients, duty counsel play a similar role in the justice system, assessing clients’ needs and responding to urgent cases in court on any given day, she says.
“Many people may not know that duty counsel are on the front lines dealing with liberty issues when someone is arrested,” says Hodon. “We have a high volume of often vulnerable clients who may be experiencing homelessness, addiction or mental health challenges.”
A week in the life
Like most duty counsel, Hodon keeps a busy schedule, representing dozens of clients any given week. She travels to various locations, including bail court and “set-date court” where clients make their first court appearance. Hodon also attends at plea court (where clients enter a plea to charges) and video remand court, which hears online and in-person youth court matters. Some of her days focus on preparing for crown pre-trials – where a lawyer has an informal discussion about the case with the Crown prosecutor – as well as mental health court and drug treatment court.
“I like the fact that every day is different, depending which court I’m in,” says Hodon. “We deal with varying challenges all the time. On a quiet day, bail court has 10 people, but on a busy day, we might see over 20 people. Video remand court can mean 50 different matters from people in institutions all across the province.”
She notes that the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has a team of mental health workers in Halton region who are an excellent resource that lawyers can access to help support vulnerable clients.
Navigating court and changing lives
Hodon recalls an interaction she had with a young person appearing in mental health court. “They were facing multiple charges, and a lot of it was driven by unresolved mental health issues. We put together a recovery support plan for them to take part in a six-month program with the right help in terms of housing, medication and medical supports, and they did really well. Even the Crown recognized how well they were doing in turning their life around and they dropped all charges. That was gratifying, and it is outcomes like this that keep me going.”
Challenges of the job include trying to support vulnerable clients whose other issues have contributed to their legal matter, says Hodon. “We see people before the courts who are embarrassed about what they’ve done, and it’s a very dark time for them. They’re now interacting with police and the criminal justice system, and they’re really scared, but I’ve seen how charges can sometimes be a silver lining because it leads them to get the help and resources they need.”
Making an impact on clients’ lives
The best part of her job is getting results for clients, Hodon says. “I really enjoy my job, and it’s especially rewarding if we can get an outcome that preserves the client’s record. When they’re a first-time offender, we try to avoid a criminal record and instead figure out ways to improve the process and the outcome for them.”
When someone is charged with a crime, it can be the scariest time in their life, she says. “My role is to make things easier for them and help them understand the process,” she says. “It’s wonderful when we see an outcome that satisfies the judge, the Crown, and the client. When that happens, the client is so grateful and says ‘thank you’ over and over, and I feel like I’ve really made a difference in their lives.”
