Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I/Ii (Criminal)

Performs legal duties to litigate juvenile, civil, misdemeanor, and felony criminal cases; performs related work as required.

Classification Summary

The principal function of an employee in this class is to perform full professional legal duties as required to expedite the efficient and effective litigation of juvenile, civil or criminal cases. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Prosecuting Attorney and Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Considerable independent judgement is granted to this position, within a few established guidelines. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.

Examples of Work (Illustrative Only)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates and cooperates with various county, city, state, and federal agencies on special assignments;
• Interviews victims of crimes, witnesses, and law enforcement officers;
• Recommends appropriate charges to be brought against accused persons or organizations;
• Meets with court and juvenile probation officers to address legal issues;
• Prepares writs, subpoenas, and other legal documents;
• Determines quality of case and eligibility for filing to pursue legal action;
• Prepares for court by performing legal research, drafting briefs, gathering and analyzing evidence;
• Researches and prepares opinions on various legal problems for the County;
• Drafts all documents which may be associated with a county case, screens reports for charging decisions, tries cases in front of a judge and a jury, negotiates plea bargains and settlements;
• Responds to employees’ and citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Idaho Code, civil and criminal law;
• Trial and litigation procedures, both civil and criminal, Idaho criminal and misdemeanor rules, and the Idaho rules of evidence;
• Legal research methods and writing;
• Ethics and rules of law with a focus on the particular ethics rules for prosecuting attorneys;
• Constitutional provisions and local ordinances as they apply to county government;
• Criminal law constitutional issues, particularly (but not exclusively) those related to fourth, fifth, and sixth amendment law. 
• Criminal statutory elements for the purpose of felony and misdemeanor intake and screening;
• Case law related to a variety of county government subjects with a particular focus on law enforcement actions and prosecution;
• Various processes related to the operation of a personal computer and associated software for word processing and spread sheets;
• Effective interpersonal communication skills;
• Effective supervisory and performance evaluation practices.

Ability to:

• Coordinate division activities in light of the County’s objectives and priorities;
• Handle and organize multiple tasks quickly and efficiently;
• Work independently;
• Operate modern office equipment, such as personal computer, fax, and copy machine;
• Successfully and diligently conduct the prosecution or defense of all civil and/or criminal cases assigned; 
• Logically present statements of fact, law, and argument;
• Gather and evaluate information obtained through research, investigations, and interrogations;
• Read, interpret, and apply all relevant legal documents including caselaw, pleadings, ordinances, resolutions, codes, and contracts;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the County Commissioners and other elected officials, County managers and employees, judicial personnel, and the public; 
• Deal effectively with the public in controversial and emergency situations;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations, and established procedures;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines while working with victims, law enforcement, other witnesses, and both office and court personnel;
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Pass a background check and drug test.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, and;
• Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate Degree, and;
• License to practice law in the State of Idaho, and;
• Eligibility for membership in the Idaho Prosecuting Attorney's Association.

Special Qualifications (where appropriate)

• Valid Idaho driver’s license;
• Eligible to practice law in the State of Idaho; and
• Accepted to the Idaho State Bar or eligible for acceptance to the Idaho State Bar within a short timeframe.

Essential Physical Abilities

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• A Deputy Prosecuting Attorney must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.  
• A Deputy Prosecuting Attorney is frequently required to stand, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. 
• A Deputy Prosecuting Attorney must have adequate vision, including close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.  
• A Deputy Prosecuting Attorney must have sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities to permit them to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and by telephone.  
• A Deputy Prosecuting Attorney works in the office and in the courtroom where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  
• A Deputy Prosecuting Attorney is a Fair Labor Standards Act exempt employee, is almost always required to work more than forty hours per week and may be exposed to emotional and violent people who may create risk to personal safety.

Classification Distinctions For Pay

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I

The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I is the entry level class in the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.  This class is distinguished from the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II by the years of experience as a practicing attorney and by the handling of the less complex cases.  Since this is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I receives general supervision from higher level prosecuting attorney staff.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II

The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II is the full journey level class within the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.  Employees within this class are distinguished from the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I by the performance of the full range of cases as assigned.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the judicial procedures and policies of the work unit.  The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney II receives direction from higher level prosecuting attorney staff.

This position will remain open until filled.