Legal Assistant/Sr. Legal Assistant - Criminal Division

This position provides comprehensive legal and administrative support to prosecutors within the Criminal Division of the County Attorney's Office. Responsibilities include preparing and filing legal documents, managing case files, coordinating court calendars, communicating with law enforcement and court personnel, and ensuring timely processing of criminal cases. Additional duties involve tracking deadlines, preparing exhibits and trial materials, and entering case data into legal case management systems. The role demands a high level of attention to detail, the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment, and maintains confidentiality, accuracy, and efficiency in a fast-paced legal environment.

• Experience working as a Legal Assistant or Paralegal in the area of Criminal Law
• Experience in a public sector law office, such as a County Attorney’s Office or other government legal department
• Familiarity with the dissemination, handling, and secure storage of digital evidence
• Proficiency in preparing, proofreading, and editing legal documents with a high degree of accuracy
• Experience using law enforcement technology platforms, such as Evidence.com or legal case management systems
• Working knowledge of Minnesota state systems, including those used by the Minnesota Judicial Branch and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

E-Verify Participation: Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
E- Verify Participation Poster
Right to work PosterReporting to the Office Supervisor, the Legal Assistant provides skilled and confidential legal assistance to attorneys and staff within the various divisions of the County Attorney's Office.  The Legal Assistant is the first level in the Legal Assistant job classification series and the work involves diversity, independent judgment and discretion. The work performed by the Legal Assistant affects the quality and timeliness of the cases tried by the County Attorney's Office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The Legal Assistant position requires a high school diploma or equivalent AND; Completion of a one-year business school or vocational-technical program in Legal Studies AND three years of experience in a law office. 

OR; Completion of an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Legal Assistant/Paralegal studies AND two years of experience in a law office. 

OR; Bachelor's Degree AND a Paralegal Certificate AND two years of experience in a law office.

OR; An approved equivalent combination of education and experience.

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.

• Promotes diversity and a culturally competent workforce.
• Works collaboratively both within the organization and with others involved in the legal process to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal office procedures, practices and regulations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal terminology.
• Resolves conflicts and disagreements in a positive and constructive manner to minimize negative impacts.
• Demonstrates skills in utilizing proper formats to prepare legal forms and documents.
• Demonstrates ability to type at least sixty words per minute editing work for accurate spelling and grammar usage.
• Understand court processes and procedures.
• Demonstrates ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Works in an honest and ethical manner; maintains confidentiality; deals with frequent change, delays or unexpected events; exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Demonstrates ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with data privacy acts.
• Demonstrates ability to meet multiple deadlines for cases.
• Demonstrates ability to report potentially unsafe situations or individuals.

These examples do not limit the assignment of other related tasks and work in any position classification. Please note that the Legal Assistant may perform some or all of the following tasks depending on their location and area of expertise. 
 
Legal Case Preparation:
• Receives time-sensitive referrals from law enforcement agencies, creates case files, and forwards to the attorney for legal decision.
• Prepares, proofs, and files pleadings, documents, and correspondence in accordance with both the State and Federal Rules of Practice.
• Subpoena victims and witnesses for Court proceedings.
• Assist the attorneys with hearings, trials, or administrative proceedings by preparing exhibits for presentation to the Court, managing photographs, charts, and audio/video evidence to be displayed during trial. This may include creating and/or coordinating complex audio/video presentations.
• Assist in the preparation and editing of investigative reports, files, court records, photographs, audio and visual recordings and other documents for disclosure to defendants and other persons or entities in compliance with the Civil and Criminal Rules of Procedure.
• Author and sign correspondence provided the Legal Assistant status is clearly indicated and the correspondence does not contain independent legal opinion or legal advice.

Utilize, Update, and Maintain Databases, Case Files, and Calendars:
• Obtain, analyze, and organize legal case documents; access and prepare clear and concise reports and data; maintain accurate records and files; and handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Utilize several complex databases containing public and private data such as LENS, PRISM, Caseworks, MNCIS, PACER, Westlaw, Vinelink, Minnesota Statewide Supervision, MP5, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension database, Minnesota eFiling and eService, Minnesota eCharging, Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Database, Washington County Sheriff's Office Warrant Search.
• Update and maintain computerized legal database to ensure accurate office statistics and maintain the record retention program.
• Perform confidential criminal history research, driver's license and vehicle research, and conduct/execute background checks using the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension database.
• Maintain the case management system by processing the court calendar for the attorneys.
• Assist with the training of the Law Clerks, as well as maintain their work schedules, update the law clerk manual, and respond to inquiries as needed.
• Assist the attorneys in gathering facts and material evidence for the case.

Office Processes and Procedures:
• Communicate the status of the case to the attorneys, parties involved, other departments and agencies.
• Confer with other departments and agencies to verify and obtain additional information for the case.
• Assist in advising victims and witnesses of changes to the court schedule or cancellation of court events to which they may have been subpoenaed.
• Assist the public, law enforcement, attorneys, agencies or other county employees by responding to inquiries and requests.
• Process accounts payable, receivable and purchase orders.
• Coordinate purchasing and inventory control for department supplies.
• Continuously evaluate processes and procedures to improve workflow.
• Responsible for assisting on call attorneys when the office is closed on holidays.
• Schedule hearings, depositions, conference calls, and related matters for the attorneys.
• Transcribe a multitude of different types of audio recordings including police interviews, jail/prison calls, 911 calls and squad audio.

Training and Certification:
• Within six months of hire, obtain BCA certification and re-certify every two years (if applicable).
• Obtain PRISM/Data Practices certification and re-certify every year (if applicable).
• Obtain and renew Notary Commission Certificate and E-Notarization Authorization.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Must pass a fingerprint background check.
• Remain up-to-date on new or modified statutes and court rules.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is sedentary in nature and involves sitting most of the time though about 20% of the time is spent doing tasks that require standing such as filing, scanning, faxing, and copying. The work requires lifting or carrying materials weighing up to 25 pounds occasionally.
 
Work requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to individuals. There is some pressure associated with case deadlines for preparing legal documents, preparing case files for time-sensitive referrals, and court and trial preparation.

Document preparation and writing at times requires extended use of a keyboard. Work interruptions are frequent. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.

Salary : $23 - $32