JOB
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES This position provides information-gathering and administrative duties for the Court Services program, including screening, research tasks regarding criminal defendants, as well as some case management. Conducts jail intake interviews, coordinates referrals for assessments or other services, orally presents information gathered to the court, and monitors defendants to ensure compliance with conditions of pretrial release. Reports to the Court Services Program Manager. DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS Employees in this class primarily produce reports for First Appearance Court each day by interviewing jailed defendants scheduled for first appearance in District Court; verifying information acquired by contacting family, friends, employers, and victims; thoroughly researching case and custody status as well as any criminal record or data discrepancies; preparing files and orally presenting the information to the court each day for consideration of bond and pretrial release conditions. In addition, these employees coordinate a wide variety of activities between the jails, courts and community and/or governmental agencies. Work may be checked for effectiveness by a Court Services Specialist II while in progress. A small number of eligible defendants are released for monitoring by Court Services to help ensure attendance on court dates and promote compliance with other pretrial release conditions. This employee must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and must have the ability to interpret and apply statutes and other judicial procedures. This employee must be able to orally present information in a courtroom setting.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESEssential Duties and Tasks Interviews incarcerated defendants at the local jails each day.Obtains information regarding community ties from jailed defendants and completes court paperwork.Researches defendants' criminal histories through local, state, and national criminal records systems and analyzes individual case status and record level.Attends court each day to orally present Court Services' reports on defendants and to document the court's decisions regarding the defendants' bonds, pretrial release conditions, and any follow-up tasks required by the court.Coordinates on a wide variety of activities between the jail and courts and community and/or governmental agencies.Monitors criminal defendants as ordered by the court in lieu of continued incarceration to ensure compliance with specific pretrial release conditions set by the courts and standard conditions of Court Services.Documents all defendant activities including client contacts, court involvement, community contacts and outreach efforts.Coordinates the scheduling of criminal court hearings to report defendants back to court for noncompliance with the conditions of the Court Services Agreement; prepares written report and presents orally in both District and Superior Courts.Maintains records and compiles data for statistical reports, monthly, quarterly and yearly.RECRUITMENT STANDARDSKnowledge, Skills and Abilities: Considerable knowledge of pretrial release and criminal justice system procedures; courtroom protocol and bond hearing procedures; jail policies and procedures; Clerk of Court procedures; and community resources.Ability to communicate effectively orally and written with Jail and Judicial personnel.Ability to work within strict daily time constraints while being flexible to last minute changes;Ability to make objective reports to the court; work with accuracy when verifying criminal records and personal defendant information,Ability to interview defendants effectively to obtain pertinent information; explain to defendants the importance of compliance with all pretrial conditions;Ability to use computer systems to retrieve and input information, maintain data for statistical reports, and effectively provide assistance to other program employees.