Maria has been a Mitigation Specialist since January 2017. Her position is precisely the role for her because of her compassion and empathy for her clients and her strong belief for social justice. She conducts extensive mitigation investigation and maintains supportive relationships with clients and family members. She facilitates client admissions to mental health and/or substance abuse residential facilities, and creates the development of support/reentry plans for pre-trial and post-conviction clients. Prior to January 2017, Maria was a paralegal with the FDO for seven years. She earned a BS with a concentration in Behavioral Sciences from Charter Oak State College, and a Criminal Law Paralegal Specialist Certificate from Duke University. In November 2022, Maria implemented the District of Connecticut’s pilot restorative justice workshop with the Bridgeport Support Court. She received her certification and training in restorative justice practices from Suffolk University. Maria has trained in restorative justice conferencing and Train the Trainers in restorative justice conferencing with the International Institute of Restorative Practices and has trained in restorative justice facilitation with the Center of Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Michigan Duluth. In August 2023, Maria trained to become a Defense-Victim Outreach (DVO) Specialist.  She also serves as a representative for the FDO in the Bridgeport and New Haven Support Court.