Senior Deputy State's Attorney

The Senior Deputy State’s Attorney performs routine professional legal work in the prosecution of civil and criminal crimes, juvenile crimes, and juvenile abuse and neglect cases in Lincoln County. Actual responsibilities of the Senior Deputy State’s Attorney vary dependent upon vacant position but may include reviewing offenses and evidence to make determination on charges and prosecuting violations of state law, reviewing requests for petitions and determining appropriate course of action, communicating with victims, law enforcement officials, and other individuals about cases, making recommendations for child custody and parental rights, and attending legal proceedings.

Job Responsibilities: 

• Prepare and manage a caseload of misdemeanor cases, felonies, juvenile violation cases, or juvenile abuse and neglect cases. Present cases for legal proceedings. Perform legal research. Prepare, draft, and file legal documents and correspondence.
• Review offenses, police reports, and evidence to make determination on charges. Prepare, send, and track subpoenas for witnesses and records. Prepare and interview witnesses for legal proceedings. Select jurors.
• Stay informed on changes in relevant laws, statutes, and proposed legislation and policy pertaining to criminal law, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile abuse and neglect. Draft proposed legislation and appear before legislative committees.  
• Communicate, correspond, and collaborate with parties involved in cases including victims, parents, school personnel, attorneys, court personnel, and law enforcement regarding procedures and actions for those cases. This may include after hour and weekend calls from law enforcement on cases that require immediate attention from the State’s Attorney’s Office.
• Make recommendations for custody, parental rights, sentences, and restitution.
• Represent the State’s Attorney’s Office at public, private, and inter-governmental programs and events, communicate with the media, prepare press releases, and serve on boards, panels, and task forces.
• Train and educate volunteers, law enforcement, and social workers on their roles and duties on legal issues and the court process duties. This may include the training of interns, new attorneys, and other staff as assigned.
• Answer, handle, or direct phone calls and walk-in traffic from law enforcement, the general public, and media regarding legal concerns or inquiries.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from a college of law, attainment of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, and admission by the Supreme Court of South Dakota to practice law in the state of South Dakota or be licensed to practice law in any other state and able to take the next available South Dakota bar examination or be a recent or imminent law school graduate, eligible to sit for the next available South Dakota bar examination. Comparable combination of education and experience may be considered. Consideration for appointment of Senior Deputy State’s Attorney requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience and are able to take on a felony caseload.

Preferred Qualifications

Currently licensed to practice law in South Dakota. Strong oral argument skills.