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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeputy Prosecuting Attorney - Criminal IJEFFERSON COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION Position: DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY I - CRIMINAL Department: Prosecuting Attorney Union: Exempt FLSA: Exempt Professional Annual Hours Worked: 2080 Exempt Salary Grade: MGR18 Employee Status: AT WILL per RCW 36.27.040 Adopted: August 1, 2021 Approved By: Human Resources Manager 1.0 MAJOR FUNCTION AND PURPOSE The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I position is responsible for accomplishing those legal assignments delegated by the Prosecuting Attorney including legal opinions, analysis of legal principles and litigation outcome, prosecution of the criminally accused on behalf of the State of Washington, while maintaining the highest degree of ethical conduct. Employees in this position will normally be assigned a Superior Court, District Court, or Juvenile case load under the supervision of the Prosecutor or the Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor. 2.0 SUPERVISION RECEIVED 2.1 Persons in this position are given discretion, within the scope of policy and regulation, as established by the Prosecuting Attorney and the County, in the performance of their duties. Policy direction is received from the Prosecuting Attorney. 3.0 SUPERVISION EXERCISED 3.1 This position has no supervisory responsibilities. 4.0 SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Duties include but are not limited to the following. 4.1 Reviews criminal complaints, interviews law enforcement officers, victims and witnesses in preparation of complaints. 4.2 Prepares the State of Washington's case against adult and juvenile criminal defendants including performing extensive legal research, drafting documents, preparing arguments, attending motion and trial hearings and presenting the State's case against the criminally accused before judge and jury in Superior and District Court. 4.3 Defends criminal convictions obtained for the State when the same are appealed to the Court of Appeals, Superior Court, and appeals from a District Court decision (other than Jefferson County Job Description: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I Page 2 of 4 not guilty verdicts) which are adverse to the State by researching applicable law, writing briefs and presenting the State's argument on appeal. 4.4 Assists Prosecuting Attorney by researching specific legal issues raised by County officials or the public in criminal matters. 4.5 Provides legal advice, and assists in and participates with law enforcement personnel in criminal investigations. 4.6 Works with the Prosecuting Attorney or Chief Deputy Criminal Prosecuting Attorney to develop negotiated criminal settlements that are in the best interest of the citizens of the State of Washington and Jefferson County. 4.7 After training, responds as a Deputy Coroner, on unattended deaths, conducting death investigations as required by statute. 4.8 Complies with confidentiality requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), including RPC 1.6, RPC 3.6, and RPC 3.8. RPC 1.6 prohibits disclosure to any person outside of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) of information obtained from clients, except under limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. For purposes of this job description, "clients" are the County and its employees, and the Port Townsend Police Department and its employees. RPC 3.6 prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO about the investigation or communication of a matter being handled by the PAO, except in limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. RPC 3.8 discusses the special responsibility of prosecutors in the justice system and prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO that could have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused in a criminal case. 4.10 Performs other duties as assigned or required. 5.0 REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 5.1 Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles. Ability to make effective and convincing arguments or present legal points in the interest of the State of Washington and Jefferson County. The ability to make speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to management and/or public groups. 5.2 Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Jefferson County Job Description: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I Page 3 of 4 5.3 Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to understand unorganized facts and to order them in an understandable, organized manner. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables. 6.0 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 6.1 Zero (0) to two (2) years prior criminal, civil, or juvenile trial experience required. 6.2 Must be admitted to practice by the Washington State Bar. Must complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing legal education every three (3) years and maintain a valid license to practice law in the State of Washington. 6.3 Maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License. 7.0 DESIRABLE OUALIFICATIONS AND ABILITIES 7.1 Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school or admission to the Washington State Bar via APR 6 Law Clerk program. 7.2 Knowledge of rules of evidence and court proceedings and ability to properly apply such knowledge. 7.3 Ability to evaluate prospective jurors and select a jury panel. 7.4 Ability to remain calm and organized in stressful situations or when dealing with people experiencing stressful situations. 7.5 Ability to explain reasons for events or actions/non-actions to unreceptive or emotionally involved listeners and to maintain the prestige and integrity of the office. 7.6 Ability to make decisions that will affect the lives and property of individuals. 7.7 Ability to focus on the detail necessary to ensure proper notice to members of the public, county officials and employees, witnesses, court officials, and law enforcement personnel in a timely manner, with adequate explanation and instructions. 8.0 WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative 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. 8.1 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel Jefferson County Job Description: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I Page 4 of 4 objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms. 8.2 The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 8.3 The noise level in the work environment is moderate noise. 9.0 CAREER LADDER POSITION This position is the entry level position in the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney career ladder. The next position is a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II. Advancement from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II within the career ladder, requires completion of all requirements for Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II and a positive recommendation from the Prosecuting Attorney. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.