Criminal Paralegal

Job Title: Criminal Paralegal

Location: Fresno, CA 93721

Job Type: Full-Time

About Us

We are a busy Fresno law firm handling a diverse range of criminal defense matters—from misdemeanors to complex serious felonies, including homicide and potential life cases. We are committed to providing aggressive, client-centered representation and believe that cases—and the liberty of our clients—can be won or lost in the discovery process. We are seeking a proactive, detail-oriented Criminal Paralegal to join our team and take ownership of assigned cases.

Job Summary

As our Criminal Paralegal, you will be the backbone of our criminal defense practice. You will be primarily responsible for ensuring timely discovery and will manage cases from arraignment through trial. We need someone who can act independently, take initiative, and keep cases moving forward—even without constant supervision. You will have significant client contact, including meeting with incarcerated clients and will play a major role in trial preparation and proceedings.

Key Responsibilities

· Discovery & Case Management: Ensure timely sending and providing of discovery; proactively manage discovery requests and responses to avoid motions in limine.

· Thorough Case Knowledge: Maintain regular review of case files, emails, and profiles to know your assigned cases inside and out.

· Legal Drafting: Draft discovery requests/responses, stipulations, motions, correspondence, and emails with minimal attorney oversight using available samples, AI resources, and word processing tools.

· Client Communication: Provide regular updates to clients (in and out of custody), schedule attorney-client visits, and conduct non-confidential jail visits using your jail pass.

· Court & Trial Support: Participate in preliminary hearings, court hearings, and trials—preparing subpoenas, briefs, exhibits, witness lists, jury instructions, and acting as in-court trial assistant.

· Deadline Management: Review calendars at least one month ahead to identify upcoming deadlines (e.g., funding motions, expert appointments).

· E-Filing & Technology: Master e-filing portals (state, federal, county) and legal software including Word, Practice Panther, Office 365, full-featured Adobe, Lexis Advance, and TrialSmith/Fastcase.

· Coordination: Coordinate with the Administrative Paralegal to request Zoom/remote hearing information.

Qualifications

· Experience: Prior paralegal experience in criminal defense or litigation preferred; a proactive mindset and willingness to learn are essential.

· Technical Skills: Proficiency with case management software (Practice Panther/Office 365), e-filing systems, and legal research tools.

· Writing Skills: Excellent writing and proofreading abilities to produce final-draft quality work.

· Communication: Strong verbal communication skills with the confidence and empathy to handle client and witness interactions.

· Organization: Superior organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple cases under tight deadlines.

· Independence: Ability to act independently, take initiative, and effectuate case plans without constant reminders.

What We Offer

· Opportunity to work on complex and high-stakes criminal cases

· Hands-on experience in all phases of criminal litigation and trial

· Collaborative team environment with room for professional growth

· Competitive compensation based on experience

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in criminal defense work.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our firm.