Paralegal

Profile

Paralegal - Public Defense Services

The candidate performs paraprofessional legal work assisting attorneys in case preparation. Work ranges from handling routine assignments to autonomous decision making in coordinating, processing and monitoring complex and specialized legal casework. Manages case load involving specialized areas of law (criminal, juvenile, and recommends appropriate legal action. Compiles, coordinates and analyzes case information throughout all phases of case administration and initiates appropriate action to start legal proceedings. Plans, develops and organizes all phases of work, prioritizes sequences of work, monitors progress and follows-up to completion. Establishes case files, organizes records and documentation to monitor case activities to ensure smooth flow and monitors for compliance with legal time constraints, court procedures, legal statutes and codes. Prepares written reports documenting investigative, case management and collection activities. Accounts for any actions to be taken regarding time lines, court actions or preparation of legal documents. Performs all aspects of case management or administration regarding legal document analysis, case file review, legal issues and applicable legal authority in preparation of documents or actions. Investigates case problems, gathers, reviews and verifies case documentation for completeness and accuracy. Reviews research, analyzes case documentation and develops recommendations for case administration. Summarizes depositions, interviews, interrogatories and other case documents to assist attorneys with case handling. Develops and secures evidence and documentation, coordinates court notes and exhibits for trial. Confers with attorneys and court offices regarding court cases, trials, evidence or depositions. Coordinates discovery activities, including the identification and compilation of all pertinent case documentation. Assists attorneys in preparation for depositions or trials and discusses case strategies. Reviews and analyzes documentation of prior convictions for the purposes of sentencing enhancement or sentencing mitigation and plea negotiations. Identifies and analyzes potential sources and locations of evidentiary factual data or witnesses which may contribute or impede establishment of facts of case. Conducts in-office investigations to gather information using various databases; Identifies, obtains and preserves evidence or testimony. Drafts interrogatories, requests for admission or production of documents, motions, answers, complaints and plea agreements. Prepares witnesses, clients, or victims for deposition, interview or trial; Assists with jury selection process. Finds relevant experts and attends conferences with the experts. Attends scene investigations and evidence viewings. Drafts routine and complex legal documents, motions, interrogatories, arguments, briefs, opinions, petitions, changes of plea, contracts and ordinances. Responds to motions, discovery requests, interrogatories, petitions, plea agreements, writs and orders. Researches and conducts investigations of credit histories, locating financial data and place of residence using automated data systems and restricted access sources. Conducts legal research through the use of computerized legal research (Lexis and Westlaw) or statutes, U.S. Constitution, legal periodicals, law reviews, digests, legal encyclopedias, codes, regional and federal reporters, slip opinions and various case law. Updates or shepardizes case law to distinguish and analogize the case to the fact situation at hand. Identifies applicable statutes or rules that are in force and effect for the particular matter. Sets priorities relating to court procedures, work production and attorney preference; Makes decisions regarding ethical obligations; Makes decisions and has discretional authority for actions; Analyzes and categorizes information from which facts or evidence are discerned and maintains control and retrievability of analyses of facts; Analyzes and executes settlements and conclusions. Categorizes relevant topics from which evidentiary materials and testimony relate for the basis of case. Links facts, testimony or objects together in relationship to the issues of the case. Reads and measures statements, reported acts or events against others and examines, studies and reviews to establish the facts or answers. Analyzes legal problems and determines cause of action or valid defense. Conducts interviews to obtain or clarify case preparation information, prepares appropriate reports, recommendations and summaries; Discusses and reviews cases with clients at the jail and in the office. Identifies testimonial evidence expected to be used and measures against the elements of proof in the course of the legal matter. Communications/Attorney Liaison: Coordinates between the assigned department and other governmental agencies to include out of state jurisdictions; Acts as liaison for attorney to the courts, law enforcement agencies, other county departments, clients and the public; Prepares memos and letters regarding attorney client privilege and confidential matters. Coordinates special projects such as developing and implementing organizational redesign of case handling procedures.

Additional Information

Position #3133-20190104

Company info

Pima County Public Defender .
32 N. Stone Ste. 400
Tucson
Arizona
United States 85701
Phone : 520-724-8028
Website : http://www.pima.gov/publicdefender/