Assistant County Attorney

The Assistant County Attorney conducts all aspects of criminal prosecution, from the charging decision through sentencing, on felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor cases as assigned or as requested by the County Attorney, or in the absence of the County Attorney. This position also performs work in conjunction with the work performed by the County Attorneys Office and other departments including civil law, human services, child welfare, commitments, planning and zoning, tax appeals, probate, highway, environmental, vulnerable adults, guardianships, conservatorships, child support, child protection, and delinquency functions as assigned by the County Attorney.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews law enforcement reports, witness statements, warrant applications, subpoenas, affidavits, etc.
• Prepares witnesses and evidence that may be presented in evidentiary hearings or other preliminary hearings, administrative hearings adjudication hearings, dispositional hearings, court trials, jury trials and post-trial proceedings such as sentencing and revocation hearings.
• Represents Redwood County in District Court at arraignments, pre-trials, evidentiary and omnibus hearings, motion hearings, plea/sentencing hearings, settlement conferences, court trial, jury trials, probation violation hearings, etc.
• Coordinates with probation agents and caseworkers.
• Enforces Victims Rights Act under Chapter 611A.
• Conducts plea negotiations.
• Drafts letters requesting or providing information, offering or responding to settlement offers, etc; Drafts complaints, petitions, legal memoranda, appellate briefs, motions, proposed findings and orders, and other assorted legal documents in a variety of both civil and criminal cases, doing legal research when necessary and incorporating, when appropriate, legal research as well as facts and reports provided by law enforcement, social workers and other stakeholders.
• Appears at conciliation court hearings, district court hearings, appellate court hearings and special hearings.
• Drafts legal documents such as easements, contracts, joint powers agreements, wage assignments, etc.
• Conducts related administrative tasks to include:
  • Attends meetings at County Attorneys request.
  • Participates on committees.
  • Answers correspondence from victims, witnesses, and media at the Count Attorneys request.
  • Answers and returns telephone calls.
  • Records court results.
  • Records daily timekeeping.
• Conducts legal research, drafts legal documents and advises the County Attorney, the Board of Commissioners and Redwood County agencies.
• Maintains professional understanding of changes in law and practice through legal publications, continuing legal education seminars and legislative announcements.
• Preserves strict confidentiality in the handling of files, interviewing witnesses, and disseminating information pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and the Rules of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.
• Appears before the Redwood County Board of Commissioners and other commissions as directed by the County Attorney.
• Reviews commitment/guardianship/conservatorship documents prior to filing. Also represents Redwood County Human Services at civil commitment hearings and in probate manners.
• Access to Not Public Data The incumbent may encounter not public data in the course of these duties. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished, incumbent must properly store the not public data according to the provisions of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel so classified.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other work related duties as required.
• If a new work assignment requires access to not public data, the incumbent is permitted to access not public data for the work assignment purposes only. Any access to not public data must be strictly limited to the data necessary to complete the work assignment and after the assignment is completed, the employees work assignment no longer requires access.

EDUCATION

Bachelors degree plus Juris Doctor and license to practice as an attorney of law in the state of Minnesota. In addition, ongoing continuing legal education as required by the State of Minnesota to maintain a license to practice law is required.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

At least three years of recent, progressive, related public legal experience, which includes the following skills and abilities:

• Strong working knowledge of federal, state and municipal statutes, ordinance regulations, codes and case law.
• Strong working knowledge of public administration practices and inter-governmental process.
• Strong working knowledge of general management principles and modern office practices.
• Strong working knowledge of the organization and operation of related local, state, and federal governments.
• Strong working knowledge of the fiscal requirements of local governments to include program budgeting and strategic planning.
• Considerable knowledge of personnel administration and organizational development.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong public relations skills.
• Ability to supervise personnel in a manner that results in efficient performance, high orale and a continuing strong sense of urgency to achieve results.
• Ability to select competent personnel and to train them to perform their duties in an effective, efficient manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to motivate subordinates toward achieving their goals and assist in their career development.
• Ability to quickly and accurately identify operational problems and/or opportunities and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to operate general office equipment including proficiency in information systems to include current e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet and related legal applications.
• Ability to create and maintain a participative, team-oriented work environment.
• Possession of a valid drivers license.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines. Other combinations of education and experience could provide necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job.