Municipal Court Solicitor

Town of Mount Pleasant; Mount Pleasant (SC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Mount Pleasant seeks a Municipal Court Solicitor to prosecute criminal and ordinance cases in the Municipal Court, advise the Police Department on criminal law issues, and represent the Town in appeals. The role also involves serving as acting head of the Legal Department for budgeting, payroll, and supervision of staff.

The ideal candidate will have a JD, at least five years of relevant experience, be an active SC Bar member, and hold a SC driver’s license.

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Active South Carolina Bar member in good standing.
• Ability to maintain licenses to practice law in SC; and
• Valid South Carolina Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute criminal and ordinance cases within Municipal Court jurisdiction.
• Represent the Town in bench and jury trials, hearings, motions, and other proceedings.
• Review police reports, evidence, and case materials to determine prosecutorial action.
• Exercise prosecutorial discretion in accordance with law and ethics.
• Negotiate pleas and dispositions with defense counsel or defendants.
• Prepare witnesses and conduct legal research, motions, briefs, and memoranda.
• Handle appeals and manage caseload to meet court deadlines.
• Assist as acting head of the Legal Department for admin purposes.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Legal research

Legal writing

Negotiation

Caseload management

Communicating with diverse audiences

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

The Municipal Court Solicitor is responsible for the prosecution of cases within the jurisdiction of the Town of Mount Pleasant Municipal Court. The position exercises independent professional judgment in evaluating, preparing, negotiating, and prosecuting assigned cases; advises and serves as a legal resource to the Police Department regarding criminal law and prosecution matters; and represents the Town in appeals arising from Municipal Court proceedings.

The Municipal Court Solicitor also performs assigned legal work on other Town matters and serves as the acting head of the Legal Department for administrative purposes, including budgeting, payroll, and supervision of assigned Legal Department staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Reviews, evaluates, prepares, and prosecutes criminal and ordinance cases within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court.
• Represents the Town in bench trials, jury trials, hearings, motions, and other Municipal Court proceedings.
• Reviews police reports, witness statements, evidence, legal issues, and other case materials to determine appropriate prosecutorial action.
• Exercises professional judgment and prosecutorial discretion consistent with applicable law, ethical obligations, Town policies, and the interests of justice.
• Confers and negotiates with defense counsel and self-represented defendants regarding pleas, case disposition, and other matters related to pending cases.
• Prepares witnesses, including law enforcement officers and citizen witnesses, for hearings and trials.
• Conducts legal research and prepares motions, briefs, legal memoranda, correspondence, and other documents related to assigned cases.
• Represents the Town in appeals arising from Municipal Court proceedings, as appropriate.
• Manages assigned caseload and ensures cases are appropriately prepared and handled within applicable court schedules and deadlines.

Legal Advice & Town Support

• Serves as a legal resource to the Police Department regarding criminal law, prosecution, evidentiary issues, and Municipal Court matters.
• Provides legal research, analysis, and recommendations regarding assigned municipal matters.
• Performs other legal work related to Town operations as assigned and within the scope of the position.
• Coordinates with Town officials, employees, law enforcement personnel, other governmental agencies, attorneys, courts, and members of the public regarding assigned legal matters.

Department Administration

• Assists Corporation Counsel as matters are assigned.
• Participates in departmental planning and administrative activities and assists in ensuring effective operation of the Solicitor’s Office.
• Supervises assigned employees, including providing direction, reviewing work, addressing performance matters, and completing other supervisory responsibilities consistent with Town policies.

Performs other related duties as assigned by Town Corporation Counsel.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school;
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience;
• Active membership in good standing with the South Carolina Bar;
• Ability to maintain all licenses and professional qualifications required to practice law in South Carolina; and
• Valid South Carolina Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience prosecuting criminal or ordinance violations;
• Experience with municipal, governmental, or public-sector law; and
• Experience advising law enforcement personnel or governmental officials.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of South Carolina criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and court procedures applicable to Municipal Court proceedings.
• Knowledge of constitutional principles applicable to criminal prosecution and law enforcement.
• Knowledge of professional and ethical obligations applicable to attorneys and prosecutors.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, statutory and case law, court rules, and legal authorities.
• Knowledge of local government operations and applicable state and federal laws affecting municipalities.
• Knowledge of basic governmental legislative and administrative processes.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of case management and trial preparation.

Skills

• Skill in trial advocacy, legal analysis, legal research, and legal writing.
• Skill in evaluating evidence and identifying relevant factual and legal issues.
• Skill in interviewing and preparing witnesses.
• Skill in negotiation and resolution of contested matters.
• Skill in preparing legal pleadings, motions, briefs, correspondence, and other legal documents.
• Skill in managing a substantial caseload, court schedules, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Skill in communicating complex legal issues clearly to attorneys, law enforcement personnel, Town officials, employees, defendants, witnesses, and members of the public.

Abilities

• Ability to exercise independent professional judgment and prosecutorial discretion.
• Ability to analyze complex factual and legal issues and determine appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to effectively advocate the Town's position in trials, hearings, negotiations, and other legal proceedings.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both legal and nonlegal audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with the judiciary, legal community, law enforcement agencies, Town officials and employees, other governmental entities, and the public.
• Ability to work independently while appropriately coordinating significant legal matters with Town leadership and other Town attorneys.
• Ability to supervise and provide direction to assigned staff.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is primarily performed in professional office and courtroom environments. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively; operate a computer and standard office equipment; review legal documents, case files, evidence, and electronic records; and attend court proceedings, meetings, and other work-related activities.

The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, reach, and use hands for computer and document-related work and may occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 10 pounds.

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS:

The position requires the ability to:

• Analyze complex legal and factual issues and apply applicable statutes, ordinances, case law, court rules, and legal principles.
• Evaluate evidence and determine appropriate prosecutorial action.
• Exercise independent professional judgment, discretion, and sound ethical decision-making.
• Prepare and present persuasive legal arguments in court and other proceedings.
• Conduct legal research and prepare clear, accurate, and well-supported legal documents.
• Manage multiple cases, court calendars, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Respond effectively to unexpected legal issues and changing circumstances during court proceedings.
• Communicate complex or sensitive legal matters clearly and appropriately to a variety of audiences.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately manage privileged, sensitive, and legally protected information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in professional office and courtroom environments, with occasional work at other Town facilities or locations. The position requires frequent interaction with judges, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, defendants, witnesses, victims, Town officials and employees, governmental agencies, and members of the public.

Work may involve adversarial, sensitive, confidential, or emotionally charged matters. Attendance at court proceedings, meetings, or other activities outside normal business hours may occasionally be required.