Senior Trial Deputy District Attorney - Motor Vehicle Theft

(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

Prosecutes Motor Vehicle Theft cases in the various Western Slope Judicial Districts listed above.

Assists in conducting trials in MV Theft cases that are assigned to other prosecutors, to provide expertise in the area.

-Ensure prosecutor familiarity with vehicle theft charges and evidence
-Flag chronic vehicle theft offenders
-Increase prosecution focus on victims and encourage victim participation (especially in multi-venue cases)
-Marshal resources to prosecute organized theft groups
-Expand outreach for juvenile offenders
-Address inconsistencies in search warrant practice
-Stronger bond arguments in vehicle theft cases
-Construct appropriate plea offers
-Use multiple approaches to improve sentencing outcome

Attend monthly meetings of CATPA

Provide a minimum of 2 prosecutor trainings annually, which must be approved by CATPA

Report on progress of programs to CATPA

Monthly Reporting of numbers to CATPA

Reviews cases to determine appropriate disposition. Analyzes cases for appropriateness of bond and representing the State in bond hearings.

Ensures that victims are properly notified of court hearings, and that their input is solicited on case dispositions pursuant to the Victims Rights Act.

Researches legal issues involved in arrest and prosecution of defendants. Conducts preliminary hearings. Drafts and responds to legal motions and represents the state in hearings regarding them.

Conducts trials concerning charges. Presents facts to support appropriateness at sentencing hearing.

Prosecutes probation violations and represents the state in post conviction remedy motions. Researches and prepares appellate briefs.

Serves as legal advisor to law enforcement and trains law enforcement personnel in various legal issues pertaining to motor vehicle theft cases ranging from report writing to specialized investigations.

Serves on executive boards and participates in appropriate task forces. Serves on promotional review boards as requested.

Reviews criminal cases to make decisions on disposition; reviews files, talks to witnesses and victims to determine the appropriateness of disposition based on the strength of the case, individual defendant's conduct and background, and the impact of the conduct on the victim and society. Knowledgeable about motor vehicle theft data.

Presents facts to support appropriateness of a sentence in court; researches and presents laws to support the legality of a sentence; obtains victim impact statements and accumulates evidence to support restitution to the victim.

Prosecutes probation violations on behalf of the State Probation Department; presents evidence to prove violations; represents the State on post-conviction remedy motions by researching and presenting arguments in court to support the legality of conviction and sentence.

Prosecute cases at jury or court trials.

Participate in the sentencing of criminal defendants.
Serves as a mentor and support in motor vehicle theft issues and other advocacy and professional development topics to less experienced prosecutors in both the Count Court Deputy DA positions and the District Court Deputy DA positions.

Researches and prepares appellate briefs for the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court concerning legal issues that were resolved in a lower court (not appellate review).

Analyzes individual cases for appropriateness of bond; argues and presents facts and law in support of bond; argues and presents law to forfeit bond in favor of the State when appropriate; argues law and facts in support of revocation of bond when appropriate; prepares legal pleadings and documents appropriate
for court action in all areas.

Meets with judges, law enforcement, probation, and the general public to identify and, where possible, resolve judicial system problems.

Will serve on call for questions and advice.

Attends related ongoing continuing education opportunities.

Oral and written communications must be clear and effective.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Demonstrate professionalism, composure, and appropriate interpersonal skills during performance of tasks, duties and responsibilities that take place in this adversarial system.  This adversarial system includes contentious dealings (in person, by phone, electronically, or by written correspondence) with opposing counsel, upset individuals that may be defendants, victims, witnesses, law enforcement, or other members of the public, often resulting in mental and physical stresses.  

Demonstrate professionalism, composure, and appropriate interpersonal skills in reviewing and/or discussing information pertaining to criminal cases.  These criminal cases require frequent exposure to assaults and murders, including, but not limited to, physical assaults, verbal abuse, sexual assaults (upon
adults and children), and child abuse. The discovery in the cases will also require frequent exposure to gruesome, disturbing, and/or sexually explicit photographs, images and recordings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate. Minimum of five (5) years of related experience, with no less than 3 years of Colorado
Prosecution Experience.
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities
required for the job.
Licenses and Certifications:
Current Colorado Supreme Court license to practice law.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 10 pounds.
Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

Please include a cover letter to address why are you interested in motor vehicle theft prosecution and any ties you may have to Western Colorado.

In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:

A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment.

A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance.

Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question.

Another factor related to job performance or business operations, such as paying a shift differential to workers on less popular shifts

This position includes is eligible for the Mesa County benefits package which includes the following:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement
• Paid Sick Leave & Vacation Leave
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability

_____________________________________________________________

Agency

Mesa County

Address

544 Rood Ave

Grand Junction, CO 81501

Phone

970- 244 - 1856

Website

http://www.mesacounty.us