Job Details

Legal Prosecution Attorney

The successful applicant may handle misdemeanor, juvenile, or felony matters depending on the needs of the office. Prepares and performs criminal prosecutions involving primarily misdemeanor, juvenile, child protection, infractions, and/or any other cases as assigned. Assignments may be made to prosecute specific types of cases such as narcotics, sexual assault and abuse, property crimes, domestic violence, juvenile crime, or other specializations. Provides direction to Legal Secretary/Assistant positions. The work is performed under the general supervision of the County Prosecutor and direct supervision of an Assistant Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, but considerable latitude is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office and courtroom environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Legal Prosecution - Prepares and manages misdemeanor criminal cases for trial, including but not limited to, initiating complaints, conducting research, interviewing affected parties, preparing required legal and court documents, preparing and arguing briefs, and attending court proceedings;
• Makes charging decisions following review and evaluation of police reports in light of applicable law;
• Negotiates case settlements;
• Advises and consults with police officers, detectives, attorneys, defendants, victims, witnesses, and other interested and affected parties;
• Conducts research of legal precedents, federal laws, state statutes, and County ordinances and represents the Countys interest in court;
• The information provided in this section provides a broad description of position duties and responsibilities. Specific priorities, projects and tasks will be assigned by the County Prosecutor, Chief Deputy, and Assistant Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

Competency Requirements:

• Knowledge of judicial procedures, rules, terminology, methods, documents, practices, and objectives;
• Applicable County, city, state, and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, and codes;
• General municipal, state and federal laws affecting county government;
• County ordinances and codes;
• Legal research methods;
• Operation of standard office equipment including a personal computer and job-related software applications;
• Negotiation techniques and methods;
• Employee supervisory and directional methods and techniques;
• English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and composition.
• Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents in determining the various aspects, alternatives, and possible outcomes of cases;
• Present material to opponents and develop an appropriate legal strategy;
• Appear without assistance in court and other judicial proceedings and present evidence, arguments, testimony, and witnesses before a judge or jury;
• Make significant/substantial legal decisions in individual cases based on a combination of factors including the law, policy, and rules of ethics;
• Bring interested and affected parties to consensus, discerning critical issues and needs of the County through a negotiations process;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, for purposes of advocating, persuading, negotiating, and counseling for or on behalf of the County;
• Handle unanticipated problems smoothly and effectively;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, staff, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, victims, witnesses, supervisory personnel, state and local elected and appointed officials, and the public;
• Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;
• Perform time management and scheduling functions, meet deadlines and set case priorities;
• Operate standard office equipment and a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks;
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• On call after regular hours to respond to emergency situations.

Acceptable Experience and Training:

• Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate Degree;
• License to practice law in the State of Idaho;
• Membership in good standing in the Idaho State Bar Association.