Legal Assistant I - District Attorney's Office

This position is responsible for providing legal administrative services by relieving prosecutors of administrative details and ensuring statutory timelines and court requirements are met.  The Legal Assistant I serves as a team lead to the Administrative Clerks in the office and backs up the Legal Assistant II in their absence with professional work related to oversight, operations management, case management and operations support.

SCHEDULE
Days: Monday - Friday 
Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hours Per Shift: 8
Shifts Per Pay Period: 10
Position FTE: 1.0

Applications are being accepted from current Walworth County employees and members of the public. 

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.  This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. 

Review arrest reports from law enforcement agencies for accuracy and completeness prior to forwarding to prosecutors to make charging decisions; determine and request additional information if necessary.

Assist and inform law enforcement agencies of proper court and departmental procedures and follow up on required paperwork.

Enter person and case information from arrest reports and traffic citations submitted by law enforcement agencies into the District Attorney case management/tracking system and assign DA case numbers; process fingerprint cards to ensure accurate transmission of arrest data to CIB. 

Maintain and ensure proper labeling and organization of files and discovery materials. 

Prepare, maintain and track case files, ensuring prosecutors meet court and statutory deadlines;  review incoming mail, police reports, court filings and notices; determine action needed and take appropriate steps in compliance with time limits; review files after each court appearance; determine action needed and take appropriate steps by composing, drafting, and filing court documents, pleadings, legal documents and other correspondence and forms within time limits;  notarize documents when necessary.

Obtain and interpret confidential criminal history records, FBI records and DOT records from federal and state agencies; maintain TIME system certification by completing periodic training and re-certifications as required by CIB; research and interpret the traffic and criminal codes of the Wisconsin State Statutes.

Download digital media received from law enforcement agencies via the Digital Evidence Secure Transfer (DEST) server; review and attach the digital media to the District Attorney case management system for each associated DA case file.  

Provide discovery materials to defense attorney’s by uploading reports and digital media received from law enforcement to the DEST server (Cerberus). 

Reserve laboratory analysts and prepare subpoenas for court hearings and trials when necessary.   

Coordinate and communicate the scheduling and rescheduling of court hearings through the clerk of courts office, and with defense attorneys and other case parties.

Coordinate with the Court and the Sheriff’s Office to prepare writs for the transport of defendants and witnesses to court for hearings and trials.

Prepare and assemble criminal and civil jury instructions and verdicts; generate letters and questionnaires to jurors after trial.

Assist callers and visitors by answering questions regarding departmental and court procedures, services, and case information.

Manage, assign and prepare the weekly office calendar to ensure adequate coverage by prosecutors for all court hearings/appointments; enter and update annual calendar meetings in database for prosecutors.

Prepare and submit County Facilities work orders.

Prepare Governor’s Warrant extradition forms, detainer forms, and appointment of special prosecutor forms.

Ensure the domestic data in the DA case management system is complete and accurate prior to submission to the DOJ for Annual Domestic Abuse Reporting.  

Respond to Background/Firearm Eligibility checks received from DOJ, CIB or other law enforcement agencies.

Provide back up the department Cerberus Coordinator; establish new and manage existing Cerberus user accounts for all users; answer all Cerberus related questions from law enforcement, defense attorneys and other agency personnel; investigate and resolve issues encountered by users.

Testify in court when necessary.

Provide backup to Legal Secretary II and Administrative Clerk II’s.  Train and oversee Administrative Clerk II’s and interns.  Assist with questions about and clarification of departmental and court procedures, case information, and preparing legal documents.

Attend in-service training, seminars, workshops and other meetings as required.

Other duties as assigned.

Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

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

High school plus two additional years of formal preparation and two to three years of relevant prior experience.  Proven experience in ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals as well as ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.   Proven experience in legal terminology required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to monitor and maintain confidentiality.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively with the public and employees on matters requiring discretion and knowledge in a courteous and professional manner.

Ability to balance the demands of varying workload responsibilities and deadlines.

Knowledge of criminal law, legal terminology, court procedures and the criminal justice system.  

Strong computer skills with demonstrated familiarity with County and State systems.

Special Requirement

As a post-offer pre-employment condition, a criminal background check conducted by the State Department of Justice (DOJ) including FBI fingerprinting must be successfully completed and passed.   Walworth County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history. Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31-111.395 Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record, however, Walworth County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history. Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.  Cost of the background check and fingerprinting will be covered by Walworth County.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

TIME system certification required.  Wisconsin notary public.  

Interactions and Communications

Responds to requests and initiates contacts to exchange basic or general information with others.   Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise.  Must have excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.  Ability to communicate professionally, clearly, concisely and tactfully.  Must have the ability to exercise judgment and diplomacy.  Must maintain a high level of confidentiality, discretion and integrity.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are consistent with procedures and protocols; supervision is available as required or requested.  These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or work unit within the department and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision-making process.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the department, challenges of this position tend to be diverse, but are typically covered by precedent or established procedure.

Tools & Equipment Used

Copy Machine Scanner

Telephone Calculator

Computer/Printer Shredder

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  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, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

TO INCLUDE:
Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
Education & Experience Review
Oral Department Interview
Reference Check
Background Check including Fingerprinting
Post Offer Physical Exam
Drug Screen

Other job related tests may be required.

Salary : $23 - $32