Legal Assistant - Prosecutor's Office

City of Phoenix; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

City of Phoenix is seeking a Legal Assistant in the City Prosecutor's Office, Legal Assistant Unit. You will assist attorneys by researching cases, gathering facts, and preparing materials for sentencing, with strong emphasis on accuracy and confidentiality.

Ideal candidates bring knowledge of criminal law, discovery, and investigative techniques, plus ability to work with minimal supervision and manage a heavy caseload in a public-sector environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent in legal assistance or related field.
• Courses/experience in criminal law, criminal justice system, and legal research/writing.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cases by reviewing records, assembling information, and updating case files.
• Interview witnesses and gather evidence from other agencies.
• Research, interpret, and report findings in written form for sentencing.
• Draft letters and motions; respond to discovery requests.
• Redact victim information and provide back-up support to staff.

Skills

Rules of Court

Evidence handling

Verbal communication

Written communication

Research methods

Time management

Independent work

Education

AA/AS in Legal Assistant or related

Job description

About This Position

Recognized on the Forbes list of America's Best-In-State Employers for the past two years, the City of Phoenix strives to be an employer of choice. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, working in public service offers many rewards. With more than 14,000 employees working across 41 departments, the City of Phoenix also offers the opportunity for career growth and advancement. Join our team and be a part of building the Phoenix of tomorrow!

The Law Department consists of three divisions: The City Attorney's Office, The City Prosecutor's Office, and Management Services. This position is part of the Legal Assistant Unit (LAU) in the City Prosecutor's Office. The Prosecutor's Office prosecutes misdemeanor crimes that occur within the City of Phoenix. Some examples of these crimes are: DUI, domestic violence, shoplifting, indecent exposure, threats, criminal damage, and trespass.

The Legal Assistant collaborates with criminal staff attorneys to prepare a case by conducting legal research, obtaining facts or evidence needed, and researching the criminal history of defendants, allowing the Prosecutor to present this information at sentencing to the court.

Essential Duties Include

• Performing case preparation duties, including reviewing case records, assembling necessary information, and updating case progress in case files and electronic computer databases.
• Locating and interviewing witnesses.
• Interacting with other criminal justice agencies to gather evidence/information.
• Analyzing, interpreting, and reporting research findings in detailed written form.
• Drafting letters and motions.
• Responding to written discovery requests.
• Investigating evidentiary problems.
• Completing criminal history checks of defendants, victims, and witnesses.
• Redacting victim identifying information from documents, audio recordings, and video recordings.
• Providing back-up coverage to the Legal Assistants and the Discovery Clerk.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Knowledge of Rules of Court, Evidence, Discovery and Victims' Rights.
• Interpretation and decision-making abilities.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
• The ideal candidate possesses knowledge of research methods; has the ability to plan and organize workload to comply with established time constraints, work cooperatively with other employees, customers, clients, and the public.
• Experience working with minimal supervision is desired.

SALARY

Pay Range: $29.44 to $39.45 per hour.

Hiring Range: $29.44 to $35.78 per hour.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Benefits

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer paid long-term disability.
• Free Bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate of arts and sciences degree in a legal assistant program or related field or a combination of experience and training equal to completion of a two year legal assistant educational program.
• Supplemented by courses and/or practical experience in criminal law, the criminal justice system, and legal research and writing.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working:
  • In a high-volume caseload environment.
  • In a legal office for a prosecutor, defense attorney, or a court.
  • With the discovery process and rules.
  • With conducting prior conviction research for defendants, victims, and witnesses.
  • With investigative and interviewing techniques and procedures.
  • With legal terminology and the criminal justice process.
• Experience:
  • Redacting video, audio and documents.
  • Ordering and obtaining evidence.
  • Creating and/or preparing form and/or original documents.
• Knowledge and experience in municipal law.
• Spanish speaking (preferred but not required).

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes September 8, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

REFERENCE

Legal Assistant, JC:10030, ID# 62574, 08/04/26, USM, PA, Benefits:003

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.