Legal Assistant

Position Summary Your job in the department is to .
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Work with considerable independence in performing legal assistant work of a complex nature, all in keeping with a working knowledge of the criminal justice system.
Your job also involves .
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Enhancing attorney effectiveness by providing information-management support.
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities Prepare and e-file legal documents for assigned attorney(s) (and back up other Legal Assistants in doing same): Understand legal information from notes, often involving knowledge of technical and legal terminology; Type (word processing) and proofread a variety of documents including general correspondence, reports, memos, subpoenas, and exhibits.
Prepare motions, orders, waivers, jury instructions and other confidential material from general instructions or personal knowledge as directed.
Perform all Front Desk Information Clerk duties (back-up): Serve visitors by greeting, welcoming, and directing them appropriately.
Notify staff of visitor arrivals.
Maintain security and telecommunications systems.
Inform visitors by answering or referring inquiries.
Direct visitors by maintaining employee and department directories.
Operate telecommunication system by following manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep a safe and clean front area by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Support continuity among work teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
Contribute to team effort by helping with intake and processing of all front desk paperwork flow from the courts, defense attorneys, and incoming correspondence.
Assist Legal Assistants and Deputy District Attorneys in all aspects of prosecution and legal process, as requested: Assist Senior Legal Assistants with trial calendar, trial prep, and preparing Case Management System and physical paperwork for court hearings, as requested.
Provide discovery to defense attorneys and records billing.
Research and obtain certified copies from other states and counties for trial purposes and discover to Defense.
Maintain department records and update Case Management System.
Prepare and issue subpoenas and notify all witness and law enforcement officers as required.
Continuous liaison with Civil Department in Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies and the Circuit Court to ensure subpoenas are served and witnesses are available.
Responsible for communicating between District Attorney's office, the Courts and defense attorneys regarding court appearances.
Track case prosecution progress, verifying status and communicating possible necessary action to be taken by Deputy D.
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Notify attorneys of any new hearings scheduled by court (same day).
Notify witnesses and victims of changes in trial status.
Respond to daily urgent requests in a timely manner to support Legal Assistants and Deputy District Attorneys, as needed.
Typical Qualifications Minimum Education Level: High School Diploma / GED Substitution Note: Any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the above described duties.
Other Licenses: Other License required Specifics: Must be Notary and must be trained and certified as a LEDS operator.
(Both can be accomplished after hire and during work hours).
Knowledge of: Considerable knowledge of legal terms and phrases Procedures and policies of District Attorney's office and relationship of department with the courts, attorneys, police agencies, governmental agencies, and the public.
Skill or ability to: Handle dangerous nature of back-up receptionist duties, due to the high stress level and criminal background and/or volatile behavior of many of the individuals approaching the front desk.
Transcribe and word processing.
Make decisions independently in accordance with established policies.
Use initiative and judgment in carrying out tasks and responsibilities with only general instructions and guidance while in high-stress situations and under conditions that can be considered dangerous.
Convey information, ideas, and facts both orally and in writing to supervisors, colleagues, and individuals, inside and outside the county, using language and a format the audience will best understand.
Utilize computers and other technology to communicate in written and verbal forms (e.
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, word processing, texts, emails, spreadsheets, department-specific software).
Effectively relate well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the county.
Develop and exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and maintain constructive professional working relationships.
Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work.
Show up to work on time, and follows instructions, policies, and procedures.
Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
Job Conditions and Physical Demands Job Conditions: Normal working hours.
Can be called upon for evening or weekends in emergency situations such as trial or pre-trial or to prepare search warrant.
Frequently work under pressure and at times difficult time constraints.
Working conditions can be somewhat dangerous due to threats of violence or retribution by defendants.
Working conditions are also inherently dangerous due to the face to face meetings between assistant and victims/witnesses who are often hostile and/or angry, and sometimes violent.
Such face to face meetings is necessary due to service of subpoenas and changes in grand jury and/or trial matters.
Work Location: Lincoln County Travel: Rarely, travel may be required with personal vehicle out of county or state for training purposes.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands are typical of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical capability to handle high mobility demands and complex personal interactions.
Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (15-25 pounds).
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination.
Some tasks require oral communications ability.
Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
Lincoln County offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision which is paid at 90% by the County and 10% by the employee.
Other fully paid benefits include life, AD&D, long-term disability insurance.
Other optional insurances are available.
A 401K retirement plan is also provided.
The County's current contribution rate is 11%.
Regular and Trial Service employees working between 20 - 39 hours per week on a regular basis are eligible for pro-rated employee benefits.