Overview
Paralegal Jobs in Norwalk, CT at Xerox
Job Description
Job Title: Defense Attorney I-IV
Department/Division: Public Defense
Reports to: Chief Staff Defender
Supervises: n/a
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Pay Grade:
Defense Attorney I: 150
Defense Attorney II: 155
Defense Attorney III: 160
Defense Attorney IV: 165
Employee Group: Non-Bargaining
Revision Date: January 2025
Minimum Education: Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum Experience:
Attorney I: Six months of experience in defending or prosecuting criminal cases OR any combination of education
and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.
Attorney II: Three years of experience in defending or prosecuting criminal cases including jury trials OR any
combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to
perform the job.
Attorney III: Five years of experience in defending or prosecuting criminal cases including jury trials OR any
combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities
to perform the job.
Attorney IV: Seven years of experience in defending or prosecuting criminal cases including jury trials OR any
combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities
to perform the job.
Minimum Certifications: n/a
Other Requirements:
ALL POSITIONS
License to practice law in the State of Washington.
In good standing of the State Bar of Washington.
Valid Washington State Driver’s License if driving a vehicle for County business.
ATTORNEY I
Direct experience in at least two jury trials. Trial experience gained as a Rule 9 Intern qualifies.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position provides legal defense services on behalf of the Benton County Office of Public Defense. An employee in this position will be appointed by the Court or its designee to provide criminal defense representation to indigent defendants facing misdemeanor or felony criminal charges in Benton County District or Superior Courts.
This is a career progression series opportunity. Employees are eligible for progression through the classification series based on attaining the minimum qualifications for each level and meeting performance measures.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.
Negotiates plea bargains, dismissals, or other disposition of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys.
Investigates facts and prepares defense for assigned cases to determine the merits of cases and appropriate course of action.
Maintains appropriate communication with client about status of the case and answers client questions.
May direct work of investigators consistent with internal office policies.
Identifies potential legal issues to advance client’s case, researches applicable law, and drafts appropriate motions and briefs.
Maintains client case files, prepares public defender time reports to the court, and closes files consistent with office policies.
Consults with social workers, probation officers, judges and referees in order to determine appropriate treatment programs for clients as a part of defense strategy.
Prepares cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in district courts.
Organizes for trial preparation; drafts and files legal documents and prepares questions and arguments necessary for hearings or trials; reviews evidence.
Attends and prepares for all court hearings required, including assigned dockets, motion hearings, preliminaries, coverage in other departments, and trials.
Provides full representation of clients from arrest through pre-trial, trial, sentencing proceedings, post-trial motions and revocation proceedings as needed.
Files, presents and argues appeals to Superior Court from District Court through the Rules for Appeal of Decisions of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction process.
Maintains a substantial caseload of clients.
Remains current on new laws, regulations, and procedures. Provides legal advice and representations to County departments and elected officials.
Answers questions and provides information to law enforcement personnel, the public, defendants, and others regarding general legal principles, the court process, and other related matters.
Assists and trains support staff as necessary.
Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
Washington state criminal law and related local statutes, ordinances, case law, and procedures.
Collateral consequences of a criminal conviction including possible immigration consequences and the possibility of civil commitment proceedings based on criminal convictions.
Mental health issues including the ability to identify the need to obtain expert services in that regard.
Duties and responsibilities of the Office of Public Defense.
Principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation.
Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
Administrative policies and procedures of the County.
The County’s and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
Current office practices and procedures.
Operation of standard office equipment and software consistent with this position.
Skill in:
Taking notes and accurately incorporating essential details in preparing legal documents.
Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
Ability to:
Exercise sound judgment in making legal decisions, interacting with colleagues, consulting with senior attorneys and supervisors, and working either individually or as part of a team as necessary.
Plan, prepare, present, and conduct case strategies for criminal cases.
Interpret and explain codes, statutes, ordinances, and procedures.
Manage heavy caseloads and maintain appropriate records, logs, and case files.
Instruct and train in methods and procedures.
Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
Read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
Prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
Apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
Communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
Maintain professionalism at all times.
Maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provisions of the Public Records Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
Work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.
PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
Work has standard vision requirements.
Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
Work has no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting (e.g. business office, light traffic) and courtroom.
May require dealing with persons who are hostile or aggressive, posing threatening conditions.
Position : 136000009
Code : 10-1
Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL
Location : OPD – ATTORNEYS
Grade : NB EXEMPT GR 60
Group : NON BARGAI
Job Class : NON BARG EXEMPT
Posting Start : 01/01/2025
Posting End : 12/31/9999
SALARY RANGE: $114,150.00-$148,158.00
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Title: Paralegal
Company: Xerox
Location: Norwalk, CT
