Criminal & Juvenile Paralegal: Trial-Ready Support

State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense; Minnesota; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense is seeking a Paralegal to assist staff attorneys in preliminary or specialized legal tasks with moderate difficulty. Responsibilities include drafting, file organization, discovery, client interviews, trial support, and witness coordination.

The role requires strong legal research, communication, and organizational skills, with a hybrid work schedule after a 12‑month probationary period.

Qualifications

• Four year paralegal degree from an accredited college or university.
• Two year paralegal certificate from an accredited school plus two years of approved experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Compose substantive legal correspondence.
• Organize, index, and summarize files and materials.
• Obtain discovery, conduct legal research; draft motions, memoranda, notices, demands, jury instructions, and other documents.
• Gather information from clients and witnesses via interviews; confer with clients on case status and preparation.
• Assist attorneys with analyzing cases, developing defenses, theory of case, and trial strategies.
• Assist at hearings and trials.
• Draft questions for prospective witnesses; prepare witness lists; coordinate witnesses.
• Examine physical evidence, photographs, and exhibits; prepare trial notebooks.
• Locate and confer with expert witnesses and resource people.
• Conduct jury surveys; prepare and serve subpoenas.

Skills

Interviewing & listening

Written & oral communications

Organizing materials

Analysis of facts & data

Education

Four year paralegal degree

Two year paralegal certificate + 2 years experience

Job description

State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense is seeking a Paralegal to assist staff attorneys in preliminary or specialized legal tasks with moderate difficulty. Responsibilities include drafting, file organization, discovery, client interviews, trial support, and witness coordination.

The role requires strong legal research, communication, and organizational skills, with a hybrid work schedule after a 12‑month probationary period.