Under the direct supervision of the State’s Attorney and/or Deputy State’s Attorneys in the office, the State’s Attorney paralegal will assist the attorneys by providing complex clerical work and research support services including document drafting, preparation, and review; communicating with law enforcement officers, private attorneys, court personnel, victims, and witnesses via phone and written communication; researching defendant criminal histories; collecting evidentiary documentation and photos and recordings; fact checking; and trial preparation. The paralegal must be self-motivated and able to work independently. In addition, the paralegal will interact with the public as well as other city, county, and state employees and their agencies to carry out the work of the office of the State’s Attorney. The paralegal must perform these duties ethically and with confidentiality. Paralegals may also be called to perform office management functions, as needed, and as assigned by the State’s Attorney.
Primary Duties:
Greet individuals who come to the office/answer phones, screening inquiries, taking messages, answering basic questions regarding the status of cases and victims’ rights, and providing information on the appropriate agency to contact with their concerns.
- Collect and organize paperwork related to incoming cases, ensuring all required documents are received. Locate/request missing document and evidence. Enter pertinent information for cases into case management database for charging by attorneys.
- Capture costs of prosecution, and ensure costs are documented in the case management database.
- Under supervision of an attorney, prepare memoranda and draft legal documents including motions, jury instructions, orders, pleadings, subpoenas, judgments and any other necessary documents.
- Keep case management database updated with new information/documentation as received and distribute as appropriate.
- Review criminal histories to determine previous crimes to enhance charges.
- Generate appropriate documents for filing with the court to charge a case out, provide discovery to defendants and their attorneys, subpoena witnesses, file motions, document restitution, prepare for trial, and sentencing.
- Attend court hearings and take appropriate notes to generate pleadings to be filed with the court documenting action taken in court.
- Keep court/office calendar and coordinate meetings with law enforcement officers, victims, and witnesses.
- Provide victim notifications and communicate with victims as required by Marsy’s law.
- Maintain professional relationship with city, county, and state agencies, attorneys, victims, witnesses, and the general public.
- Attend training and educational activities to maintain/increase level of skill/abilities beneficial to the office.
- Other duties as required by the State’s Attorney.
Office Management Duties, as needed and assigned:
- Ensure day-to-day functionality of office equipment and technology.
- Schedule repairs and coordinating with IT professionals, when necessary
- Manage replacement schedules for all office equipment, including computers and all peripherals, telephones, and any other office equipment necessary for effective functioning of the State's Attorney's Office.
- Maintain, manage, and monitor the budget.
- Organizing payables and receipts
- Ensuring case-related expenses are properly allocated as either restitution or costs of prosecution
- Ensuring proper filing of all vouchers, invoices, and other budgetary information
- Coordinates with Auditor's Office about payments from Office budget
- Assisting with verifying and organizing all office budgetary expenditures
- Monitor and order office supplies.
- Maintain office credit card and ensure proper usage.
- Maintain and execute file retention/destruction schedules.
- Coordinate with State Archivist on records maintenance and retention
- Ensure filing system is up to date
- Manage destruction of files when required to do so
- Ensure retention of court files under proper retention schedule
- Other duties as required by the State's Attorney.
Preferred Education and Qualifications:
- Education: High School diploma with associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or criminal justice or related field.
- Training or experience: Paralegal certification by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or other recognized entity may be substituted for an associate degree.
- Good oral and written communication skills. Four year’s experience as a working legal assistant, with paralegal skills, may also be substituted for an associate degree, at the discretion of the State’s Attorney.
- Be able to take direction from others and follow instructions.
- Good customer service skills to interact calmly with individuals who are not at their best.
- Strong organizational skills including attention to detail, ability to work independently, and prioritize tasks based on the workload at the time.
- Proficiency with Word, Excel, and Outlook programs, as well as copier, postage meter, and general office equipment. Ability to learn and become proficient with Prosecutor by Karpel Case Management software.
- Ability to manage a variety of tasks with interruptions and help coworkers complete urgent tasks.
Please submit cover letter and resume to LeEllen McCartney, Butte County Deputy State's Attorney, at the following email address: leellen.mccartney@buttesd.org
