Chief Criminal Litigator

Yellowstone County; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Yellowstone County seeks a prosecutor to manage and direct attorneys handling criminal operations within the County Attorney’s Office. The role prosecutes felonies, misdemeanors, and related offenses in unincorporated areas and other limited areas as defined by statute.

The position involves supervising casework, advising on legislative matters, and representing the County in various court proceedings. An appointed, at-will role serving at the pleasure of the County Attorney.

Qualifications

• Law degree/JD required.
• 4 years’ experience practicing law including civil litigation, criminal litigation and/or local government law.
• Or any equivalent combination totaling eight (8) years.

Responsibilities

• Represents or assigns and supervises casework at trial, appellate or sentence review level; advises County Attorney on legislative matters important to the Criminal Justice System.
• Prosecutes criminal offenses in the District and Justice Court systems and argues felony and misdemeanor appeals before appellate courts.
• Represents the County at hearings, arraignments, pleas, show cause, waivers, pre-trial conferences, preliminary hearings, trials and appeals across the Criminal Division as needed.
• Reviews files, screens law enforcement reports, may investigate crime scenes, and interviews law enforcement officers, victims and witnesses; liaison with County government, Montana Attorney General and courts.
• Evaluates cases under investigation by law enforcement agencies regarding existence, nature and degree of offences; sets policy for the County Attorney’s Office with respect to its relationship with law enforcement agencies.

Skills

Legal experience

Criminal litigation

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Job description

Manages and directs attorneys regarding the criminal operations and activities in the County Attorney’s office; prosecutes adults charged with felony crimes, as well as misdemeanor and gross misdemeanors that occur in the unincorporated areas of the County and other limited areas as defined by statute; does related duties as required.

• Represents or assigns and supervises casework at the trial, appellate or sentence review level; will make direct recommendations and will advise the County Attorney as to legislative matters important to the Criminal Justice System;
• Prosecutes criminal offenses in the District and Justice Court systems and argues felony and misdemeanor appeals before the appellate courts;
• Represents the County at hearings, arraignments, entry of pleas, orders to show cause, waiver hearings, pre-trial conferences, preliminary hearings, trials, and appeals and is able to do so in any area of the County Attorney Criminal Division on as needed basis;
• Reviews files, screens law enforcement reports, may investigate crime scenes, and interviews law enforcement officers, victims, and witnesses; acts as a direct liaison with the County governing body, the Montana Attorney General and the District and Justice Courts;
• Evaluates cases under investigation by law enforcement agencies regarding the existence, nature, and degree of offences; sets policy for the County Attorney’s Office as to its relationship with law enforcement agencies.

This classification has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system, at-will position. This is an appointed position serving at the pleasure of the County Attorney, an elected official.

Education/Experience/Training:

• Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a Law Degree/Juris Doctorate; and
• Four (4) years’ experience practicing law including civil litigation, criminal litigation and/or local government law; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training totaling eight (8) years.

Certifications:

• Must possess valid membership in the Montana State Bar Association;
• Valid driver’s license issued by the State of Montana.