Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I

Grays Harbor County; Montesano (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Grays Harbor County Prosecuting Attorney's Office seeks a Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to prosecute District Court cases and assist in juvenile and superior court matters, including bench and jury trials.

Responsibilities include reviewing investigations, preparing legal documents, advising law enforcement, conducting hearings, and handling civil matters as assigned to uphold justice and protect the community.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school or Rule 9 Law Clerk program and admission to WA Bar.
• Active member in good standing with WA State Bar.
• Knowledge of WA traffic, juvenile and criminal laws and court procedures.
• Ability to perform basic legal research and present evidence.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute criminal matters in District, Juvenile, and Superior Court.
• Prepare witnesses, exhibits, and legal arguments for hearings and trials.
• Review investigations and make charging decisions with law enforcement input.
• Draft and file legal documents; negotiate plea and resolutions.
• Carry appellate workload including briefs and oral arguments.

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) admitted WA Bar

Licensed attorney in WA

Legal research

Trial preparation

Courtroom advocacy

Job description

**This position is posted until filled**

The Grays Harbor County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is seeking resumes from highly motivated and qualified individuals to fill a Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney position. Duties will include prosecution of District Court cases.

Under the direction of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney cases in District, Juvenile, or Superior Court including bench and jury trials of felonies, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors and violations that occur in Grays Harbor County; or the Deputy may perform legal research and prepares comprehensive legal opinions for County officials, prepares and reviews County legal documents, and prepares and tries County civil litigation, including that of a high-priority nature, in the Superior Court, various administrative hearings, or appellate courts.

Appointment to the position and requirements of the position are in accordance with RCW 36.27.040.

The following list of functions, duties, and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions, duties, and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Criminal Deputy:

• Exercises discretion, as supervised by the Chief Criminal Deputy or designee, as to when criminal charges should be filed, what charges are to be filed and the appropriate sentencing recommendation to make to the court.
• Reviews investigations conducted in criminal matters which are referred to the Prosecutor’s office from law enforcement agencies to make charging decisions and prosecute criminal matters; conducts additional investigations as necessary; presents matters before judicial officers and juries and respond to appeals when needed.
• Must be prepared for court, which includes conducting first appearances, arraignments, omnibus hearings, motions, please, trials, and juvenile hearings.
• Negotiate cases with other parties and attorneys through written, in person, telephonic, and/or email means.
• Prepare factual testimony of lay and expert witnesses and exhibits as well as legal issues that will arise during the course of any hearing or trial.Advises all victims and witnesses of their rights and ensures that they are treated fully and fairly within the criminal justice system.
• Advises law enforcement agencies during investigation, prepares search warrants, prepares and files information or criminal complaints, prepares and files petitions for the revocation of probation and obtains arrest warrant.
• Assists the Prosecuting Attorney and the other deputies in the office, as needed, and can become involved in any of the functions of the prosecuting attorney's office.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I:

• Graduation from a recognized and accredited school of law or completion of the Rule 9 Law Clerk Program and admission to the Bar of the State of Washington
• Member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
• Knowledge of traffic, juvenile and criminal laws of the State of Washington; rules and procedures of justice and superior courts; basic techniques of preparation of traffic and criminal cases.
• Ability to perform basic legal research and present evidence in atmosphere of criminal trial or Civil litigation.

LICENSE(S) / CERTIFICATIONS:

• Licensed attorney in the State of Washington

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

(At time of application)

Knowledge of:

• Washington State criminal and civil law and related local statutes, ordinances, case law, and procedures.
• Duties and responsibilities of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
• Principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation.
• Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Provide positive and effective customer service
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, County departments and employees, elected officials, outside agencies, and the general public
• Screen, review and evaluate factual and legal basis for misdemeanor, felony, and child support cases to determine legal sufficiency; request further investigation by law enforcement as necessary to gather and collect sufficient evidence; make filing decisions and prepares charges to be filed.
• Prepare for a variety of types of hearings and trials through interviews of witnesses, victims or others relevant to each case, legal research and investigation of facts and information.
• Draft, prepare and file appropriate legal documents. Evaluate cases for appropriate disposition, prepare for and participate in plea and other negotiations to obtain resolution to cases.
• Prosecute offenders in court to prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt; conduct courtroom or administrative proceedings, therapeutic court proceedings, involuntary treatment act proceedings; determine strategy, organization, timing and order of evidence presentation, appearance of witness, jury instructions and related matters to ensure a fair trial.
• Carry an appellate case load (including, but not limited to, reviewing transcripts, responding to appellate arguments, writing response briefs, and providing oral arguments to appellate courts).
• Answer questions and provide information to various state agencies, the public, victims, and others regarding general legal principles, the court process, and other related matters
• Remain current on new laws, regulations, and procedures.
• As assigned, may provide legal advice and assistance to County departments, boards, elected officials and agencies by reviewing and drafting contracts, correspondence and resolutions.
• As assigned, may litigate civil matters for the County by researching and preparing matters for trial or hearing, drafting pleadings and motions and other documents, interviewing witnesses for trial or hearing, developing litigation strategies and presenting oral arguments before the courts or administrative tribunals ensuring conformance with applicable legal and judicial standards and procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations)

• This position is primarily performed in an office and courtroom environment
• Physical requirements include sitting, standing, walking, reaching, pushing, pulling, a sense of touch, finger dexterity, the ability to grip with hands and fingers, the ability to speak, and the ability to read
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of workday), and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of workday), and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (2/3 or more of workday) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work

The statements contained herein reflect general details describing the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skills typically required, and the scope of responsibility. They are not an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER