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Serve as prosecuting attorney for the City in jury and bench trials and other court and administrative hearings regarding infraction, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor cases and related civil matters such as forfeiture, impound or code enforcement; analyze, evaluate, organize, and prepare cases for trial, hearing or appeal; perform comprehensive and professional criminal legal services, including researching, drafting and writing briefs, opinions and ordinances; assign, review and direct the work of assigned administrative legal personnel.
JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the prosecuting attorney in all criminal cases filed by the City. Maintain knowledge of current laws, court opinions, and legal issues pertinent to the position.
- Review cases in order to make filing decisions and prepare decline notices when appropriate. Represent the city in arraignments, pretrial hearings, motion hearings, bench and jury trials, sentencing hearings, probation review hearings, contested traffic hearings, appeals, and other court hearings as assigned; represent the city in forfeiture actions; and seek restitution for crime victims.
- Provide effective criminal and infraction prosecution trial services for the city; organize case information; perform discovery, investigate cases, and interview witnesses; analyze evidence and the law; develop trial or motion strategies; perform legal research; prepare briefs; effectively and confidently present the city's case and oral arguments in court; and perform appellate work.
- Review and prepare documents and cases and review probable cause; attempt to resolve cases without necessity of trial if appropriate; prepare jury instructions and motions related to cases.
- Communicate with witnesses, police, other attorneys and defendants as needed.
- Organize case information and analyze pertinent case facts and evidence; research legal precedent and develop arguments as appropriate; prepare and supervise the maintenance of criminal case files and other legal documents required to proceed with criminal cases.
- Analyze and evaluate the validity of each criminal charge; perform a variety of case preparation duties such as reviewing and signing citations and long form complaints; plea bargaining, negotiating and interviewing witnesses.
- Work effectively with the court administration, jail, police department, and public defender to develop processes to ensure the efficient operation of the criminal justice system.
- Become familiar with, follow, and actively support the vision, mission, values, and behavior statements of the department and the City.
- Work productively in a team atmosphere with other attorneys and support personnel, team goals, and objectives as determined by superiors. Be available to assist other attorneys and support staff in order to meet deadlines.
- Periodically attend continuing legal education training to meet the Washington State Bar Association requirements and to improve professional skills.
- Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance; work flexible evening and/or weekend hours as required; ability to travel as required.
- Communicate and coordinate with court administrative personnel, City departments, public defenders and other personnel in matters related to criminal cases.
- Communicate with and train various City departments regarding the legality of documents and instruments and the prosecution of criminal cases.
- Provide information and assistance to citizens or refer them to appropriate state or federal agencies; respond to public inquiries regarding municipal legal requirements, public records, and respond to customer complaints.
- May be required to give work direction to professional and administrative legal staff, make case assignments, delegate various duties, and coordinate coverage in the court as directed by the Chief Prosecuting Attorney or City Attorney.
- Provide assistance on civil matters as directed by the City Attorney or Chief Prosecuting Attorney.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
- May be assigned to support critical city priorities during disasters or other emergencies.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
- Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
- Current license to practice in the State of Washington.
- 2 years of prosecution or defense experience in a municipal/district court.
- Active membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
- Valid driver's license.
- Successful passing of a required background check and national fingerprint-based records check.
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