Deputy/Senior Deputy County Attorney

Increase in base wage subject to ongoing negotiations with the Teamsters.  

Deputy County Attorney:
Performs entry-level professional legal work that is designed to introduce the Deputy to the practice of law in the County Attorney's Office.

Senior Deputy County Attorney:
This is responsible professional work performing the widest variety of professional legal work as assigned in the County Attorney's Office; develops, prepares, and presents the most complex issues and cases requiring appearance before administrative, legislative and judicial tribunals along with associated work and trial work; and performs related work as required.  The employee must be able to handle an extremely high caseload and must be able to work with a high degree of independence within departmental guidelines.

Deputy County Attorney:

• Reviews reports and files appropriate charges;
• Prepares cases including identifying issues, conducting any necessary research, drafting relevant and case specific pleadings and motions, conducting additional investigation when necessary, identifying and subpoenaing necessary witnesses, obtaining additional evidence and exhibits when necessary, preparing witnesses for testimony, and preparing any exhibits for court presentations, and preparing any jury instructions;
• Prepares and files responses to discovery requests and other correspondence in a timely fashion;
• Maintains legible and organized case files, documenting court action, prosecutor's action and any plea offers or other agreements;
• Negotiates cases with attorneys and pro se defendants;
• Meets with attorneys, victims, witnesses, and pro se defendants during scheduled appointments;
• Appears in court on behalf of Yellowstone County and represents the County at arraignments, appearance dockets, evidentiary hearings, pretrial conferences, bench trials, jury trials and oral arguments, and makes bond recommendations;
• Demonstrates a firm grasp of the law and rules of court and fundamental trial skills, including effective voir dire, the presentation of relevant and necessary evidence, the ability to respond to objections in an appropriate manner, the ability to make timely and relevant objections, the ability to present persuasive, legally, and factually accurate arguments, and the ability to prepare relevant jury instructions, including not-in-MAI instructions.

• Assigns and leads the work of Deputy County Attorneys in the preparation, presentation and, if necessary, the appeal of criminal cases;
• Prepares complex cases including identifying issues, conducting any necessary legal research, drafting relevant and case-specific pleadings and motions, conducting additional investigation when necessary, identifying and subpoenaing necessary witnesses, obtaining additional evidence and exhibits when necessary, preparing witnesses for testimony, preparing any exhibits for court presentations, and preparing any jury instructions;
• Leads substantive training sessions for local and state law enforcement on various aspects of criminal law;
• Advises and counsels Deputy County Attorneys on available options or strategies to accomplish assigned tasks;
• Defends civil lawsuits against the County filed under state or federal laws and frequently involving substantial sums of money;
• Provides legal advice and representation to a wide variety of assigned County agencies and districts, including the Board of County Commissioners, County Superintendent of Schools and school boards, County Hospital Board, Metrapark Board, and an array of special-purpose districts in the areas of fire, conservation, weed control, rural improvements, road improvements, planning and zoning, drainage, grazing and irrigation under the direction and supervision of the Chief Civil Deputy and Chief Civil Litigator;
• Represents the County in cases involving the County’s self-insurance program under the direction and supervision of the Chief Civil Deputy and Chief Civil Litigator;

Deputy County Attorney:

Education/Experience/Training:

• Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a Law Degree/Juris Doctorate.

Certifications:

• Membership in the Bar of the State of Montana is required at the time of application or
• Completion or passage of the Bar Exam within 6-month probationary period.  
• Valid driver’s license issued by the State of Montana.

Education/Experience/Training:

• Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a Law Degree/Juris Doctorate; and
• A minimum of two (2) years of criminal prosecution and trialexperience as a Deputy County Attorney or two (2) years’ experience practicing law including civil litigation, criminal litigation and/or local government law; or
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training totaling six (6) years;
• Demonstrated ability to litigate and try cases and effectively handle a heavy caseload.

Required Certifications:

• Membership in the Bar of the State of Montana is required at the time of application.
• Valid driver’s license issued by the State of Montana.