Paralegal

Paralegal, Common Pleas Trial Unit

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Division/Department: Felony Waivers

Reports to:  Chief, Felony Waivers

Direct Reports:  N/A

Job Summary

The Common Pleas Trial Unit handles felony trials that are listed in the Felony Waivers program as well as the Major Trials program. The Paralegal in the Common Pleas Trial Unit assists attorneys in preparing cases in adult court for trial. The Paralegal is a liaison for clients and an advocate in coordinating cases with attorneys, social workers, family members and individuals involved in all aspects of the criminal justice system.  

The Paralegal initiates and solidifies pre-trial matters to ensure that the files received by attorneys are ready for trial.  This includes creating files when the Defender is appointed after the preliminary hearing, reviewing files for complete discovery, analyzing the Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines, understanding the severity and elements of all crimes and tracing a client’s record both locally and nationally.

Paralegals interface with other administrative personnel, attorneys, clients, private counsel, judges and others in the court system.  They work as part of the Common Pleas Trial Unit team, ensuring that all tasks are completed in a timely fashion.  They also must take initiative when they see that there is work to be done as well as organize their own work and track information in the Defender Client Management system.  The ultimate goal is to provide the best representation for our Defender clients.   

 Major Areas of Responsibility

• Contact clients and programs to ensure that the client is connected to and attending diversionary programs and making payments as necessary
• Contact and gather mitigation witnesses and information
• Be a point of contact with paralegals in the District Attorney’s Office to support communication between the offices regarding the resolution of old cases and requests for discovery
• Find closed files, reopen and prepare for the attorney including calculating sentencing guidelines, analyze cases for mandatory, recidivist or strike sentencing enhancement, get information about prior convictions as needed
• Retrieve bills of information from the e-filing system
• Order and obtain notes of testimony from previous hearings
• Request, receive and review discovery; create and file omnibus pre-trial motions
• Prepare Rule 600 motions to dismiss for speedy trial: learn and apply case law 
• Appear in arraignment court or diversionary hearings as a client representative when needed
• Prepare non-fatal shooting files for assignment: identify potential conflicts of interest, order radio tapes and arrest photos
• Assist in other administrative duties: answer telephone calls, prepare letters to clients, find and deliver files within the office
• Proficiency with all internal computer programs: DCM, ATIMS, CPCMS
• Qualifications:

Education:    

• Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree with Paralegal Certification or any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience. 

Experience:

• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and conduct comprehensive legal interviews
• Experience working with indigent clients in criminal justice proceedings preferred
• Ability to communicate with and develop trusting relationships with clients, family members, employers and community to ensure that client has support throughout the court process 
• Ability to understand and interpret the Pennsylvania Crimes Code
• Ability to interact professionally with attorneys, clients, client family members, office and court personnel
• Must have analytical and interpretive skills 
• Computer literacy including the ability to learn multiple internal and external computer systems 
• Ability to learn the court system and internal and external procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 
• Travel to various courtroom, prisons, and other community placements as needed

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.