Prosecution Assistant

Tulare County, CA; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Tulare County District Attorney’s Office in Visalia is seeking an experienced paralegal to handle misdemeanor case workflows, draft legal documents, and coordinate with law enforcement on evidence and subpoenas. This role supports attorneys by organizing case files and calendars accurately.

The position requires paralegal certification or equivalent law school progress and at least two years of journey-level criminal justice experience, with a focus on legal research and procedural compliance.

Qualifications

• Two years journey-level paralegal experience in criminal justice
• Paralegal certification or completion of one year from an ABA-accredited law school or California mini-bar
• Knowledge of criminal law and procedure; legal research methods and drafting documents; legal ethics and filing procedures

Responsibilities

• Review, prepare, file, and process misdemeanor cases using the District Attorney’s information systems.
• Prepare criminal complaints and subpoenas; confer with law enforcement on facts and evidence.
• Read complex legal language to check questions of law and assist in memoranda for legal opinions

Skills

Criminal law

Legal research

Document drafting

Evidence handling

Interpersonal communication

Education

Paralegal certification

First-year law school / California mini-bar

Job description

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the District Attorney Office. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies,

Current vacancy is with the Tulare County District Attorney Office located in Visalia Courthouse & Porterville.

• Review, prepare, file, and process designated misdemeanor cases utilizing the District Attorney’s information systems.
• Prepare criminal complaints; examine case files to prepare witness subpoena lists; confer with Law Enforcement Officers regarding collection of facts and evidence.
• Read and comprehend complex legal language to check questions of law and evidence, and assist in the preparation of memoranda for legal opinions.

For a full list of duties for this position, please click here.

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education/Experience;

• Completion of a Paralegal certification or equivalent to completion of one (1) year from a law school accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California, or a successful completion of the first-year law student’s examination, (California mini-bar).

Knowledge of;

• Criminal law and procedure; legal research methods, drafting legal documents, and opinion writing;
• Filing procedures and legal terminology; legal ethics related to criminal procedures; legal office practices and procedures; automated legal research methods and document preparation.

Skill/Ability to:

• Read and analyze legal documents; collect and examine factual data;
• Understand and apply legal principles and precedents;
• Explain legal actions/documents in a courteous, patient, and tactful manner; present verbal statements of fact and law; establish effective working relations with attorneys, officials, co-workers, and the general public;
• Follow and give verbal and written instructions; operate a personal computer and written instructions; organize, maintain, and coordinate litigation files and calendars; use computer systems to perform legal research and to process criminal cases;

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Legal citations to assist attorneys; interviewing techniques; trial procedures and rules of evidence; filing procedures and legal terminology; DAMION system.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of journey-level experience as a Paralegal in the criminal justice system.

Criminal History/Background Investigation:

A criminal history check and background investigation will be conducted prior to the successful candidate commencing service. Felony conviction(s), non-disclosure or falsification of history, will result in immediate disqualification.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

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