Paralegal

PARALEGAL

Salary: $33,000.00

Purpose of Classification

Performs administrative work in legal support for the office of the Cameron County Criminal Public Defender's. Duties include assists researching and preparing legal documents; entering data into automated legal systems, verifying data and processing data. Positions in this class perform routine data analysis and answer paralegal questions; and maintain legal documents and records.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Responsibilities

Prepares affidavits or other documents, such as Letters, Memos, Agenda Items Requests, Complaint(s) Responses.

Manage caseload from intake to closing with accuracy, including tracking, and updating cases and entering data for reporting to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

Manage a calendaring system and statutory case time frames and deadlines.

Manage complex discovery deadlines.

Draft subpoenas, subpoena dues tecums, settlement offers, and arrange for service of witnesses, law enforcement, caseworkers, investigators, and experts.

Coordinate with court coordinators, caseworkers, to schedule and calendar hearings, bench trials, and jury trials.

Assist with docket days, including taking case notes during docket, and tracking orders.

Assure the services delivered meet quality and timeliness standards.

Process computerized information records systems with attention to detail and accuracy.

Records management (i.e. medical records, psychological, psychiatric records, etc.) and Bates logging the records as they come in office. Manage the calendar for the attorney workroom and assist the public in scheduling use of the attorney workroom.

Enters data into the legal system; reviews preliminary reports; verifies data entry's accuracy; identifies and initiates needed corrective actions; and submits documents for review; assists attorneys with legal documents by reviewing, providing information and obtaining information for use in preparing legal documents.

Provides assistance and information to attorneys.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Summary

Under general supervision, the Paralegal in the Cameron County Criminal Public Defender's Office provides routine legal research, including document management. Screens, reviews, analyzes, and organizes case-related material required for Court presentation and management in the Civil Courts. Performs a variety of administrative and clerical support functions for the Criminal Public Defender or an Assistant Criminal Public Defender to whom assigned. This position affects the accuracy, reliability and acceptability of further processes and services.

Additional Functions

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience or Degree in Legal Process and/or related field; supplemented by one (1) year of experience performing paralegal and/or administrative support work; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

ADA Compliance

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

This is not a Civil Service covered position.

Benefits: Cameron County Offers Excellent Fringe Benefits, Including: Health and Life Insurance Protection, Sick and Annual Leave, Retirement System, and Paid Holidays. Cameron County has a mandatory direct deposit payroll program.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER