Paralegal

Paralegal, Common Pleas Pretrial Unit

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Division/Department: Common Pleas Pretrial unit

Reports to:  Chief, Common Pleas Pretrial Unit

Direct Reports:  N/A

Job Summary

The Common Pleas Pretrial Unit handles adult felony cases awaiting a pretrial conference and staffs the Common Pleas Criminal Motions Court. Cases awaiting a pretrial conference have already had a preliminary hearing and will go through Formal Arraignment prior to entering a SMART room for a pretrial conference.  Cases that are not resolved in the SMART room will be spun out for trial and sent to either the Felony Waiver Unit or Major Trial Unit.  The Paralegal in the Common Pleas Pretrial Unit will be cross trained in the skills necessary to assist attorneys in both the SMART rooms and Common Pleas Criminal Motions Court. The Paralegal is a liaison for clients and an advocate in coordinating cases with attorneys, social workers, family members and individuals involved in all aspects of the criminal justice system.  

The Paralegal initiates and solidifies pre-trial matters to ensure that the files received by attorneys are ready for the Smart room and possibly for trial.  This includes reviewing files for complete discovery, analyzing and calculating the Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines, understanding the severity and elements of all crimes and tracing a client’s record both locally and nationally. The Paralegal is responsible for assisting with the preparation and filing of various motions and responses to DA motions and keeping the client and their family informed during this process.  The Paralegal will also assist in interviewing clients charged with being a Fugitive of Justice (FOJ).

Paralegals interface with each other, attorneys, clients, private counsel, judges and others in the court system.  The work they do is of the utmost importance in ultimately bringing about the best representation for our Defender clients.  

Major Areas of Responsibility

•    Calculate sentencing guidelines

•    Review and analyze client’s current and previous cases

•    Request, receive and review discovery 

•    Analyze cases for mandatory, recidivist or strike sentencing enhancement 

•    Prepare Rule 600 motions to dismiss for speedy trial 

•    Identify Defender conflicts of interest and recommend resolutions

•    Attend Formal Arraignment Court and other court appearances as a client representative.

•    Assess files for necessary investigations, referrals, or possible immigration issues that have not previously been flagged

•    Prepare omnibus motions

•    Order and obtain notes of testimony

•    Retrieve the bills of information from the e-filing system

•    Prepare cases where client is charged with being a Fugitive of Justice (FOJ). Including speaking with clients on the phone if out of custody, or if incarcerated, discussing either in person at the prison or over secure private technology, to advise them regarding the outstanding FOJ

•    Draft and file various motions and responses including but not limited to 1013 motions, responses to DA refile motions, MC appeals, expungements, and bail reduction motions

•    Communicate with clients, clients’ family, attorneys and staff regarding relevant information pertaining to these motions  

•    Follow up after bail hearings to ensure clients are out of custody.

•    Assist attorneys and staff in ensuring internal databases are updated

•    Track cases accepted into EAU/AFD and support clients in connecting with required programming

•    Serve as back up to other paralegal staff 

•    Perform other related duties as assigned or needed

Qualifications:

Education:     

•    Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree with Paralegal Certification or any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience. 

Experience:

•    Ability to communicate effectively with clients and conduct comprehensive legal interviews

•    Experience working with indigent clients in criminal justice proceedings preferred

•    Ability to communicate with and develop trusting relationships with clients, family members, employers and community to ensure that client has support throughout the court process 

•    Ability to understand and interpret the Pennsylvania Crimes Code

•    Ability to interact professionally with attorneys, clients, office and court personnel

•    Must have analytical and interpretive skills which are necessary to make important decisions regarding client histories and legal situation, as well as the initiative, accuracy, maturity and motivation necessary to reach these decisions and to follow through when applicable

•    Computer literacy (Word, Excel, e-mail proficient) including the ability to learn multiple internal and external computer systems.  

•    Ability to learn the court system and internal and external procedures.

•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Physical Requirements: 

•    Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.

•    Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 

•    Travel to various courtroom, prisons, and other community placements as needed

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.