Deputy Prosecuting Attorney - Criminal Division

Twin Falls County; Idaho; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plans (PERSI, 401(k))

Paid holidays and leave

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Bar exam fees and license fees paid

Cell phone paid

Job summary

Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in Idaho seeks a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to prosecute misdemeanor and felony cases, independently or with supervisors. You will handle screening, charging decisions, plea negotiations, and trial preparation in both court and office settings.

The role emphasizes courtroom advocacy, legal research, collaboration with law enforcement, and maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Idaho and in good standing.
• Eligibility for membership in the Idaho Prosecuting Attorney's Association.

Responsibilities

• Represent the State of Idaho in criminal cases in court and at proceedings.
• Screen cases, decide whether to file charges, and prepare for trial.
• Prepare evidence, secure witnesses and present to the jury.
• Conduct legal research and provide training to law enforcement and staff.
• Direct staff in pleadings, forms, and court filings; maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Analyze evidence and precedents

Courtroom advocacy

Negotiation of charges and pleas

Legal research

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctorate

Licensed to practice law in Idaho

Idaho Prosecuting Attorney's Association eligibility

Job description

The Twin Falls County Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for prosecuting crimes in Twin Falls County.

• Full health, dental, vision, cafeteria plan, health savings plan, Employee Assistance Plan, wellness programs, and life insurance.


• Retirement plans such as PERSI pension and 401(k), as well as Deferred Compensation.


• 12 Paid holidays with generous vacation, personal days, and sick leave accrual.


• Public Service Loan Forgiveness.


• Our officealso offerspaid bar exam fees for new attorneys, paid annual license fees, paid CLEs and training opportunities, and a paid cell phone.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney will be assigned to prosecute a variety of misdemeanor and/or felony cases independently and with the assistance of supervisors or colleagues as necessary. The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney's duties include all litigation, negotiation, preparation, and resolution while possessing the courtroom skills required to prosecute the assigned cases.Misdemeanor prosecutors screen cases, appear at motions to suppress, and prosecute cases ranging from infractions (traffic tickets) to misdemeanors (driving under the influence, petit thefts, etc.). Felony prosecutors are assigned casessuch as narcotics, DUI, property crimes, domestic violence, or other crimes. This attorney will spend many hours in court and will make critical decisions in case strategy, preparation and presentation. The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney works under the direction of the Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, but must exercise independent judgment and initiative. The principal duties of the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney are performed in the office and the courtroom.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(illustrative only)

• Represents the State of Idaho in criminal cases by going to crime scenes, advising law enforcement agencies during investigations of crimes, obtaining search warrants, screening cases, deciding whether to file charges, meeting with crime victims, attending multiple court proceedings, organizing the case file, preparing evidence, securing witnesses, preparing for jury trial, presenting the State's case to the jury, responding to post-trial motions, filing and prosecuting probation violations;


• Responds to legal questions from law enforcement agencies;


• Represents the State of Idaho in post-conviction relief petitions including filing answers, motions and supporting pleadings, and presenting the State's case to the court;


• Directs staff in the preparation of pleadings, forms, orders, motions, legal memorandums and other paperwork;


• Protects the rights of victims and those criminally accused;


• Provides training to law enforcement officers, other prosecutors, child welfare advocates, and court personnel;


• Conducts legal research;


• Interacts, mediates and negotiates with opposing counsel, judges, office staff, other agencies and law enforcement offices;


• Performs time management and scheduling functions, meets deadlines, and sets project priorities;


• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate co-workers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of office operations and activities;


• Interacts with county employees, witnesses, victims, defendants, law enforcement officials, visitors, and the general public effectively and professionally;


• Assists other prosecutors in the office on cases when necessary;


• Acts as a special prosecutor in cases in other counties;


• Attends Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association training to comply with continuing legal education requirements of the Idaho State Bar; and


• Performs other duties as assigned by the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and ability required to satisfactorily perform each essential duty required for this position.

Knowledge of:

• Constitutional law, criminal law, criminal procedures, rules of evidence and prosecutorial ethics;


• Legal, court, and judicial procedures, rules, terminology, methods, documents, practices, and objectives;


• Applicable county, state, and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, and codes;


• Legal research methods;


• Negotiation techniques and methods; and


• English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and composition.

Skill and 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 legal decisions in individual cases based on a combination of factors including the law, policy, and rules of ethics;


• Negotiate complex legal issues;


• Bring interested and affected parties to consensus;


• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, for purposes of advocating, persuading, negotiating, and counseling on behalf of the State;


• Analyze, appraise, and organize facts and precedents and present arguments clearly and logically;


• Determine alternative courses of action, and anticipate defense strategies;


• Present and argue cases while handling unanticipated problems smoothly and effectively;


• Proficiently operate computers and software programs;


• Follow verbal and written instructions;


• Work independently and exercise initiative, with general guidance and supervision;


• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times;


• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of strict deadlines;


• Demonstrate integrity and ingenuity in the performance of assigned tasks and solving problems;


• Perform all duties in accordance with Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney policies and procedures; and


• Maintain strict confidentiality in all cases and comply with Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, and;


• Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate Degree, and


• Licensed to practice law in the State of Idaho, and;


• Eligible for membership in the Idaho Prosecuting Attorney's Association.


• Must successfully pass background investigation relevant to the position, including fingerprints and remain in good standing for the duration of employment with the County.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is frequently required to stand, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to type, handle materials, or manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. Incumbent must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Adequate vision required, including close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Incumbent must have sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities to permit him or her to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and by telephone. This position works in the office and in the courtroom where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This is an exempt employee, and is almost always required to work more than 40 hours per week, and is daily exposed to emotional and violent people who may create risk to personal safety.