Assistant City Prosecutor

GENERAL PURPOSE:  Under the supervision of the City Prosecutor (who is under the direction and control of the City Attorney), the Assistant City Prosecutor is primarily responsible for all aspects of the prosecution and enforcement of State laws and local ordinances.  Secondary work may also include assisting the City Attorney with civil matters as assigned.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
 

• Manages and prosecutes assigned criminal, civil, and administrative cases including preparation of pleadings; discovery; plea negotiations; research; and argument of legal concepts and principles.
• Makes decisions and prepares documents of whether to charge criminal or civil offenses based on privileged information provided by investigative agencies.
• Appears at initial appearances, arraignments, competency hearings, bond hearings and other hearings related to the pretrial release of the defendant. 
• Prepares and conducts pretrial conferences with defendants and defense counsel to discuss cases and negotiate an appropriate plea, discuss discovery and interview requests, meet with victims and, if necessary, set a trial date.
• Interviews law enforcement officers, investigators, witnesses, victims and experts to ascertain that evidence is complete and well presented.
• Thoroughly prepares and persuasively provides prosecution advocacy at jury trials, bench trials, appellate courts and administrative agencies. 
• Actively and effectively interacts with victims and victim advocates to comply with Victim Rights laws and policies.
• Prepares and presents motions, appeals and special action cases after researching and analyzing the facts of the case, the statutes, case law, rules of evidence and criminal procedures.
• Prepares and presents sentencing recommendations utilizing sentencing guidelines and policies provided. 
• Prepares and presents evidence and argument in probation revocation hearings.
• Prepares and presents evidence and argument at hearings pertaining to restitution and victim compensation.
• Prepares and presents written and oral arguments for post-conviction actions such as collateral attacks and direct appeals.
• Effectively uses automated legal research tools, case management systems and document processing programs.
• Meets and collaborates with other law enforcement agencies, community organizations or private enterprises to develop effective practices and results.
• Monitors trends, practices, legal changes and techniques that are related to successful prosecution advocacy. 
• Advises law enforcement agencies on gathering and presentation of evidence, filing of charges, investigative procedures and other legal matters.
• Attends conferences, seminars and other training opportunities related to effective prosecution (possibly requiring some travel).
• Attends, appears and speaks at public forums intended to educate the community and advance causes pertaining to the criminal justice system.  
• Prosecutes cases in other jurisdictions that are classified as “conflict cases.”   
• Accurately documents case files and provides accurate data concerning disposition of cases.
• Attends meetings at City Council, commissions and boards (such as the Police Advisory Board) as directed. 
• Performs other duties as assigned or required. 

 
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None, other than strict adherence to the supervisory responsibilities required of all lawyers as mandated by rules of ethics and professional responsibility.Education and Experience:   Requires graduation from an accredited school of law with a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree; and licensed to practice law by the Arizona State Bar Association, or has been specially admitted to practice pursuant to a provision of Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38 and is thereafter fully licensed to practice law in Arizona within 90 days of employment.

Special Requirements: Must maintain an “active” record of good standing with the Arizona State Bar Association and maintain a clear criminal record.Necessary Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of State of Arizona criminal, traffic and related statutes, rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of United States constitutional laws and federal codes related to criminal law practice. 
• Knowledge of principles of civil and criminal law, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of Victims’ Rights Laws.
• Knowledge of the mandatory rules pertaining to lawyer ethics and the practice of law.
• Knowledge of legal precedents and court decisions impacting prosecution efforts.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, techniques, sources and databases.
• Knowledge of case management procedures, ethics and techniques.
• Knowledge of word processing, publishing and other automated products necessary for legal work.
• Skill in interpreting, analyzing and organizing evidence, legal standards, laws, regulations and legal precedent.
• Skill in verbal and written communication to present information and persuasive arguments in a clear and logical form.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with office staff, law enforcement agencies, court agencies; defense attorneys and other participants in the justice process.
• Skill in operating automated technology using a variety of law office software.
• Skill in handling a large caseload and prioritizing assignments.

Salary : $89,719 - $123,954