Deputy County Attorney Principal

Gila, County of (AZ); Payson (AZ); On-site; USD 88,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Arizona State Retirement

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Public holidays

Student Loan Reimbursement

Job summary

Gila County is seeking a highly qualified attorney to prosecute criminal cases and present evidence before grand juries. This role collaborates with law enforcement, supervises staff, and handles trials, plea negotiations, and post-conviction matters.

The ideal candidate holds a JD, is admitted to the Arizona Bar, has five years of criminal trial experience, and demonstrates strong written and oral advocacy. Excellent benefits and public service opportunities accompany the position.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate required and AZ Bar licensed.
• Five years of criminal trial experience required.
• Active AZ Bar status with clean record.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute criminal cases in court and at grand jury proceedings.
• Coordinate with law enforcement and supervise staff as needed.
• Represent the County Attorney in trials and plea negotiations.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memos, briefs, and motions.
• Mentor newer attorneys and manage case assignments.

Skills

Criminal law

Criminal trial

Legal research

Witness examination

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Job description

Gila County is a rural area, only 60-90 miles from the Phoenix Metro area, with forests, mountains and beautiful Roosevelt Lake.

Salary Ranges

• Entry level County Attorney positions start with a pay range from $79,769 to $99,711;
• Senior Attorney (minimum of two 2 years' experience) with a pay range from $87,945 to $109,932;
• Principle Attorney (minimum of 5 years' experience, to include criminal trial experience) with a pay range of $96,960 to $121,200.

Benefits

• Immediate introduction to the Courtroom prosecuting criminal offenses;
• Opportunities for advancement through pay ranges with increased experience and responsibilities;
• Student Loan Reimbursement of $8,000.00 per year (maximum of $80,000 over 10 years);
• Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (depending on employee's specific qualifications);
• Arizona State Retirement participation;
• Paid vacation, sick and holiday leave.

The purpose of this position is to protect the citizens of Gila County by successfully prosecuting criminals to obtain justice and restitution for the victims of crimes.

This position prosecutes criminal cases, works with law enforcement personnel, and assists other attorneys with their cases.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regularly assigns work to other employees and supervises related activities.

Provides recommendations on discharging employees; hiring employees;scheduling work hours of employees; evaluating employee performance; handling employee grievances; employee training; granting time off; employee promotions; employee salary increases; employee disciplinary actions and employee coaching.

Makes final decisions on managing assistants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews police reports, charges felony offenses and presents cases to grand jury; represents the County Attorney at Grand Jury proceedings; presents evidence and questions witnesses before the Grand Jury; identifies and develops written materials, exhibits and related trial presentations. (20%)
• Manages assigned cases and coordinates investigators and legal support staff; oversees the issuance of subpoenas; directs investigators to seek additional evidence; advises law enforcement agencies; confers with witnesses and victims of crime; negotiates plea agreements with defense counsel. (20%)
• Represents Gila County Attorney in prosecuting persons charged with felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses; assures that cases are resolved within office policy guidelines; and assists newer attorneys with their cases. (20%)
• Handles appellate and post-conviction matters in criminal cases; reviews citations, arrest sheets and other law enforcement documents; conducts factual and legal analysis to determine whether criminal charges should be filed based on the facts of law and evidence. (10%)
• Prepares criminal cases for disposition through plea agreements, trial or dismissal; prepares plea offers and negotiates with defense counsel; represents the County Attorney at trials; brings cases before the court; examines witnesses and argues facts of the case in relation to points of law, case law and legal precedent; develops and presents jury instructions and closing arguments; and manages sentencing hearings; prepares jury instructions and verdict forms. (10%)
• Reviews motions filed in cases and resolves as needed; receives and reviews memoranda, briefs and other filings; reviews filings for jurisdictional and statutory requirements; conducts conferences with defense counsel concerning settlement of cases. (10%)
• Conducts legal research; gathers and compiles evidence; identifies and subpoenas witnesses, records and other information required to present the case; prepares and presents memoranda of law, briefs and other legal documents as required and ordered by the court. (10%)
• Performs other duties as assigned. (10%)

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no responsibility over any types of budget.

PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides project resource allocation based on pre-approved resources on organizational planning projects.

ORAL COMMUNICATION DUTIES

This position trains colleagues, explains County procedures or processes, speaks with the media, conducts meetings and provides advocacy before the courts.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION DUTIES

This position creates or edits documents, internal memos, emails, formal letters and court pleadings or motions.

INTERACTIONS WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Interacts extensively with employees, the public, Board of Supervisors, regulatory bodies, and other institutions over the telephone, by email, and/or in person.

INTERACTIONS SPECIFICALLY WITH CUSTOMERS

Regularly (More than 55% but less than 70% in a year)

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED

Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.

MINIMUM YEARS OF DIRECTLY RELATED EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Five (5) years' experience in criminal trial practice.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS REQUIRED/PREFERRED

Must be licensed by the Bar to practice law in the State of Arizona, remain active with all Arizona Bar annual requirements and maintain a clear criminal record.

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License if position duties require.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

English language and composition; law and government; law enforcement; education.Legal principles and practices; Arizona and Federal case law; civil and criminal law principles and practices; felony, misdemeanor and juvenile prosecution methods and practices; civil defense/prosecution strategies and processes; methods, materials and references utilized in legal research; general supervisory principles and practices;professional ethics in the practice of law; techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; County policies and procedures.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Analytical thinking; critical thinking; analytical writing; communicating diplomatically; persuading and influencing; negotiating; problem recognition; problem solving; researching and identifying precedence in case law; negotiating plea agreements; prosecuting cases in a courtroom setting; effectively assessing, interpreting and applying complex criminal laws to information, evidence and other data compiled; utilizing and evaluating electronic legal research and on-line systems; effective oral and written communication; establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers.

ABILITIES REQUIRED

Fully and quickly comprehend spoken words; express one's self orally; express self through written words; speak clearly and sensibly; consider options, risks and benefits.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly stands to present and attend to courtroom duties.
• Rarely sits to operate special equipment and attends to reception areas.
• Regularly lifts under 10 lbs, up to 75 lbs. of work related materials or equipment.
• Constantly requires dexterity for keyboard operation; rarely requires dexterity for special gadgets.
• Incumbents in this position may be required to intervene to break citizen altercations, walk, bend, stoop, crawl, kneel and twist to complete tasks.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbents in this position constantly spends time in office environment and courtrooms.

SAFETY RISK EXPOSURE

Incumbents in this position may become exposed to telephone verbal abuse by emotional customers or citizens, physical danger, and in-person personal verbal abuse while conducting work in courtrooms.

PROTECTIVE GEAR & SAFETY MANUALS

Incumbents in this position are required to constantly follow written safety procedures and manuals relevant to the division or department.

CONSEQUENCES OF ERROR

Potential errors can have legal ramifications, loss of funding, loss of organization's credibility.