Legal Assistant - Commonwealth Attorney's Office

The Legal Assistant will provide clerical staff support and basic technical assistance within the Lynchburg Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney under the direct supervision of the Legal Assistant Supervisor. This position involves specialized clerical work requiring basic skills in data entry, filing, legal document processing, and customer assistance.   The Legal Assistant helps to enhance prosecution effectiveness and case proceedings by preparing case files, obtaining and organizing police reports and evidence, inputting and updating time sensitive information into the file database and case management system, and providing customer assistance. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties necessary to deliver services to customers and citizens may be assigned.

• Prepares and coordinates correspondence related to court orders and subpoenas;
• Operates a variety of office machines;
• Updates all advisements from General District Court and felony letters;
• Checks “not arrested” files weekly;
• Serves as back-up to the front desk Legal Assistant Receptionist (AM, PM and lunchtime);
• Serves as back-up Juvenile and Domestic Relations Legal Assistant;
• Enters all Circuit Court docket numbers; 
• Updates attorneys’ calendars and case files;
• Responds to calls from court personnel, defense counsel, and victims/witnesses and routes them to the assigned attorney;
• Files materials alphabetically and numerically;
• Opens and processes misdemeanor and felony cases for attorneys;
• Performs general case updates in office case management system;
• Accurately transfers pertinent information from case files to case management system; 
• Effectively communicates with court personnel and other City agencies; and,
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS 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/Experience: High school diploma or GED and at least two years of experience in clerical work, including proficiency in Word and Microsoft, applications is required. Basic knowledge of legal terminology and processes and knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Preferred Experience: Paralegal or Criminal Justice Associates Degree with at least one to two years of work experiences in the legal or criminal justice field.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to type 50 words per minute without spelling, grammatical, or typographical errors; correctly routes correspondence; accurately proofreads typewritten and printed materials; accurately maintains records and files; effectively and diplomatically communicates orally with other employees and the general public; ability to transfer handwritten information from case files to computerized case management system accurately.  

Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment.  May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.