Description

Conducts prosecution in court proceedings on behalf of the County and State. Assists and represents the County Attorney.
Focus areas are misdemeanors, child support, traffic, data practices, and appeal research with an option to take more serious criminal cases if willing and able.

Essential Duties

• Responds to law enforcement via a variety of communication methods. Communication usually includes requests for legal services and opinions, as well as generalized legal questions on a variety of situations that occur within the county.
• Gathers and analyzes evidence in criminal, juvenile, child protection, commitment, and forfeiture cases.
• Keeps current on all active, upcoming, as well as outdated statutes, ordinances, and policies surrounding criminal, juvenile, child protection, commitment, and forfeiture law.
• Interviews witnesses to ascertain facts of case and prepare for various hearings throughout the legal process.
• Works closely with the office’s victim advocate regarding victim cases. This includes preparing victims for hearing, communicating with a victim during the entire stage of a trial, communicating with the victim advocate to relay messages to victims, and preparing, reviewing, and defending a victim’s restitution claim in court.
• Reviews pertinent decisions, policies, regulations, and other legal matters pertaining to case.
• Correlates findings and prepares case. Presents evidence against accused to grand jury, county jury, or the court for indictment, release, or general prosecution of accused/juvenile/committed person. Cases are regularly two to three days in length, and would require many advanced days of preparation time.
• Examines and accepts or rejects allotted number of prospective jurors.
• Appears against accused in court of law and presents evidence before Judge or other judiciary and jury.
• Researches and communicates with any expert witnesses needed for any number of hearings. This includes reviewing any written expert opinions, video, or other media, as well as meeting with and preparing said expert for the hearing. This could also include preparing and advising law enforcement on any medical releases needed for a specific case, and communicating with various medical institution legal counsel.
• Examines and cross-examines a variety of witnesses, including, but not limited to, witnesses for the State and defense, to ascertain facts of case.
• Competently tries cases before a jury, including jury selection, State’s Case in Chief, cross examination of defense witnesses, and presenting a compelling closing argument for the State.

• Researches cases and writes briefs for appeals tohigher courts, prepares to argue before the appellate courts. Advises law enforcement on the legality of specific appellate cases and shares important/relevant court holdings.
• Acts as legal advisor to other county departments on Civil Action, Child Protection, Child Support, and Commitment Petitions.
• Represents County Attorney's office while at any public events including hearings and trainings.
• Presents cases against juveniles in delinquency cases, prepares orders for court, and submits a variety of required filings on behalf of the county.
• Meets with staff of Human Services to discuss child neglect and dependency issues, termination of parental rights, paternity and child support, and represent Human Services in court and in appeals of decisions.
• Represents Human Services on judicial commitments, guardianships, and conservatorships by filing the necessary paperwork and appears at the judicial proceedings.
• Responds to data requests from the public under Minnesota Chapter 13 within statutory timelines and prepares and delivers all records requested.
• Provides technical support to office staff on legal issues.
• Provides occasional supervision to support staff as needed.
• Responds to legal questions of the general public. This includes inquires through a variety of communication methods.
• Willingness to attend other hearings happening in the county to further learn from others and assist other attorneys in the office with major hearings or trials.
• Willingness to attend a variety of trainings in order to keep up with the latest policy and statutory changes and challenges throughout the state.
• Willingness to step in to administrative roles if required due to business. This includes, but is not limited to, answering the phone, directing phone calls, taking messages, greeting members of the public at the office window, delivering interoffice mail, mailing correspondence, and refiling and ordering office supplies.

Minimum Qualifications

In order 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.
Education and/or Experience:
Juris Doctoral degree and admission the bar, or equivalent.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Licensed as an attorney in the State of Minnesota, with the ability to be successfully licensed by the by Minnesota Supreme Court and the US 8th Circuit Court of Appeals if required.

Selection Process

Top candidates will be invited to a first round interview held virtually on August 1st, 2024.
Second round interviews, for those selected, will be held in person on August 8th, 2024.

Why work here?
Renville County offers advantages and opportunities others can't, including:

• Meaningful work
• Public service
• Work-life balance
• Generous benefits
• Opportunities to grow
• Commitment to your success