City Prosecutor

Under limited direction, the incumbent is responsible for supervising, coordinating, and participating in the prosecution of criminal and civil matters within the jurisdiction of the City Court. The incumbent reviews and evaluates police reports, complaints, evidence, and applicable laws to determine the appropriateness of prosecution; conducts legal research and analysis; prepares and presents cases in court; negotiates case dispositions; and represents the City in pretrial proceedings, hearings, trials, and other judicial proceedings as authorized by law.

 
As the City Prosecutor, you will:

• Attend pretrial conferences with defendants, defense attorneys and judges.
• Review Police reports; conduct factual and legal analysis to determine whether legal issues should be prosecuted, based on the facts of law and evidence; conduct conferences with defendants and defense attorneys concerning settlement of cases.
• Prepare criminal cases for trial; interview witnesses; prepare documents; interview complainants to determine appropriateness for filling criminal charges; tries jury and non-jury cases involving criminal and non-criminal matters coming before the City court, including municipal zoning and aesthetic code enforcement issues, and civil matters.
• Determine amounts and appropriateness of restitution to be paid by defendants to victims of crimes; monitor compliance with ordered restitution payments; determine terms and conditions of probation; monitor compliance of probation.
• Consult with and advises police department personnel regarding specific cases and general legal policies; respond to police and other enforcement personnel requests for information; advise police or other enforcement personnel on legal matters and procedures.
• Conduct legal research; gather and compile legal instruments and documents; identify and evaluate records and other information; prepare and present legal documents and analysis as required.
• Provide supervision and training for assigned staff including supervision of Victims Assistance Program and contract prosecutors.
• Provide coaching, counseling and professional assistance to staff on legal skills and professional responsibilities; assist legal staff in the development of case strategy, legal theories and other technical issues as needed.
• Attend meetings with department officials and employees to discuss legal questions and departmental policies and procedures
• Monitor trends in criminal justice issues and recommend improvements and/ or changes and make modifications. 
• Support the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, community members, visitors, and City staff; and comply with all City policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Will possess knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Professional Rules of Conduct and application of conflicts of interest to prosecution cases.
• Principles of Constitutional Law, criminal law, and civil violations, and which rules of judicial procedures apply to Arizona Municipal Courts.
• Arizona rules of evidence.
• Legal precedents and court decisions that impact criminal cases.
• Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a city prosecutor.
• Legal research methods, techniques, sources, and databases.
• Legal case management procedures, ethics, and techniques.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.

Will possess skills in:

• Conducting legal research and applying statutes, case law, court rules, and legal precedents to specific factual circumstances.
• Evaluating police reports, witness statements, documentary evidence, and other case materials to determine legal sufficiency and appropriate prosecutorial action.
• Preparing and presenting legal pleadings, motions, memoranda, trial documents, and other written legal analyses.
• Litigating criminal and civil matters, including examining and cross-examining witnesses, presenting evidence, and arguing legal issues in court.
• Negotiating case dispositions and communicating effectively with defendants, defense counsel, victims, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, and court representatives.
• Developing case strategies, identifying legal issues, assessing evidentiary strengths and weaknesses, and resolving complex or contested matters.
• Supervising, training, coaching, and mentoring legal and support staff, including providing guidance on case strategy, legal analysis, and professional responsibilities.
• Communicating complex legal concepts clearly, accurately, and professionally in written and oral form.
• Managing competing priorities, court deadlines, case assignments, and supervisory responsibilities in an organized and timely manner.
• Using legal research tools, case management systems, and standard business software, including Microsoft Word and Office 365.

Must possess the ability to:

• Must be able to clearly and effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with members of the Prosecutor’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, City Court, City Manager’s Office, Police Department, and outside agencies.
• Exercise sound, independent legal judgment and prosecutorial discretion consistent with applicable law, ethical obligations, and the interests of justice.
• Analyze, interpret, and apply complex legal standards, statutes, ordinances, court rules, legal precedents, and City policies and procedures.
• Evaluate evidence, assess witness credibility, identify legal issues, and determine the appropriateness and viability of prosecution.
• Prepare cases for trial, conduct pretrial conferences, negotiate case resolutions, and effectively litigate matters before the City Court.
• Interview witnesses, victims, complainants, and law enforcement personnel to obtain relevant facts and evaluate the merits of potential cases.
• Present legal arguments and evidence in a clear, logical, persuasive, and professional manner, both orally and in writing.
• Provide accurate and practical legal guidance to police officers, enforcement personnel, City departments, and other authorized stakeholders regarding prosecution-related issues.
• Establish case strategies, assign and coordinate work, delegate responsibilities, and provide effective supervision, training, and professional development to assigned personnel.
• Monitor compliance with court-ordered restitution and probation conditions within the scope of assigned responsibilities and applicable law.
• Identify emerging legal and criminal justice issues, evaluate their potential impact on municipal operations, and recommend appropriate policy or procedural improvements.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials and employees, court personnel, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims, witnesses, and members of the public.
• Maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, demonstrate impartiality, and adhere to professional standards of conduct and legal ethics.
• Organize and maintain accurate legal records, manage multiple cases and deadlines, and use applicable computer systems and business software effectively.

Education, Training, and Experience:

• A Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited American Bar Association Law School

Licenses and Certifications:
All required licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment

• A valid Arizona driver’s license and in good standing at the time of appointment

Special Requirements:

• Residency in the United States and within 25 miles of the City of San Luis

Desired/Preferred:

• San Luis residency.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

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

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 10 pounds unaided. Employees must be physically capable of operating City vehicles, for job-related purposes, safely. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied individuals.

Work Environment: 
The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet. Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work flexible schedule.

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Work may involve extended workdays outside the regular working hours to attend and present at meetings.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered, online applications MUST include all required documents listed under the Minimum Requirements section of the Job Posting.  All documents should be uploaded as attachments.

Please note:

• The online application must be completed in full.
• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.