Associate/Assistant County Attorney

Position Summary:

This position serves at the pleasure of the County Attorney and assists in the preparation and presentation of cases in district court in civil and criminal matters involving Becker County and/or the State of Minnesota.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prosecutes criminal cases: reviews police reports and citations; determines appropriate charges; drafts criminal complaints; prepares cases for trial; analyzes evidence; confers with law enforcement; directs and conducts follow-up investigations; meets with and prepares witnesses for trial; reviews applicable rules, statutes and case laws; studies trial techniques; and prepares courtroom strategies.
• Advocates the State's position in various preliminary hearings.
• Negotiates case settlements as appropriate and presents case in jury or court trials.
• Researches legal issues; drafts memoranda, legal briefs, and legal pleadings.
• Prepares orders for the Court.
• Advises members of the child protection unit on appropriate court actions, foster care placements, provisions of services and legal requirements of child protection statutes.
• Reviews information and prepares petitions for child protection court actions; reviews evidence and directs gathering of additional evidence; determines if facts warrant initiation of court actions; drafts pleadings; attends court hearings; and represents the Department of Human Services in child protection hearings. Negotiates with opposing parties at each stage of child protection cases.
• Reviews requests for prosecution of juvenile delinquency matters. Reviews investigative reports, directs gatherings of additional evidence, and determines appropriate charges to be filed. Drafts juvenile delinquency petitions and represents the petitioner. Determines appropriateness of certification for prosecution as an adult. Conducts juvenile delinquency hearings.
• Reviews revocation reports from the State Department of Corrections and County Court Services Department. Prepares documents for revocation of stayed sentences, determines appropriate sanctions to recommend, and advocate the State's interest at revocation hearing.
• Maintains knowledge of legal developments including both case law and advocacy techniques.

• Attends Continuing Education Courses, conferences, and other events and meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Location:

Detroit Lakes, MN - County Seat.

The Community: Becker County, with an estimated population of 35,371, is located on U.S. Highway 10 in West Central Minnesota, is 45 miles east of the Fargo/Moorhead metropolitan area. The County encompasses 1,440 square miles and stretches 30 miles north to south and 48 miles east to west. Situated in one of Minnesota's most beautiful and versatile recreational areas, Becker County has over 400 lakes, abundant streams, and forests and trails that draw visitors year-round to enjoy a variety of outdoors recreational opportunities.

For more information on Becker County visit our website at www.co.becker.mn.us

Qualifications:

Education:

• Four-year degree from an accredited collage or university
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school

Requirements:

• License to practice law in the State of Minnesota
• Valid Minnesota Driver's License