Impactful Legal Assistant – Criminal Division

Introduction

Delaware's Attorney General, the State's chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State.

Delaware's Attorney General, the State's chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State. In meeting this mission, Attorney General Kathy Jennings is supported by teams of talented lawyers and staff in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Fraud and Consumer Protection, and Civil Rights and Public Trust Divisions.

Each of the more than 500 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are dedicated to serving all Delawareans with integrity and passion.

Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal special investigators, victim service specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff, prosecute criminal cases, enforce consumer laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public's access to open government, protect the abused, and much more.

The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking exceptional, highly motivated individuals to join the Criminal Division as Legal Assistants in New Castle County.

If you are driven by purpose and ready to handle serious, impactful cases, the Criminal Division offers a career unlike any other. Make an impact where it matters most—on the front lines of justice. In this role, Legal Assistants assist Deputy Attorneys General in prosecuting serious and complex cases, including homicide, domestic violence, special victims, and other violent crimes, while protecting the communities of New Castle County.

In New Castle County, the Criminal Division comprises several specialized units, including the Misdemeanor Trail Unit, Felony Trial Unit, Felony Screening Unit, Special Victims Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, Homicide Unit, and Violent Criminal Enterprise (VCE) Unit.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to preparing and processing legal documents, managing and organizing case files and evidence, assisting with grand jury and trial preparation, coordinating with police agencies, and maintaining communication with victims and witnesses throughout the litigation process, and would be responsible for indictments and discovery for cases.

The ideal candidate will be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and function both independently and collaboratively as part of a team. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to handle a high-volume caseload are essential.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Acts in liaison capacity between superior and various interested parties and judicial and/or court staff, clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, law enforcement agents, elected and/or appointed officials and the public to gather, clarify and provide information regarding case facts and status.
• Establishes and maintains case files ensuring that the files contain complete and accurate information essential to each step of the proceedings from pre-hearing and/or pre-trial through trial and sentencing.
• Interviews involved parties such as clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, arresting officers, or medical personnel to gather discovery material, evidence for case preparation and to complete various legal and/or court documents.
• Reviews various reports as well as other information such as police reports, medical reports, retail, surveillance, computer files/electronic documents, body worn camera and video/audio; summarizes pertinent details of the case for Deputy Attorney Generals; follows up as necessary for additional documents; drafts answers to litigation complaints and responses to form 30 interrogatories; issue subpoenas to obtain medical, insurance, and employment records;
  
  serves and prepares discovery; and makes required red actions for discovery and case preparation.
• Reviews law sources such as case law, judicial decisions, statute law, codes, regulations, and legal and subject matter articles to ensure issues are properly cited and provides superior with written details of similar cases including findings, judicial decisions, and memorandum/opinions of law.
• Prepares legal pleadings, e.g. briefs, motions, indictments, information and appeals.
• Provides reports and recommendations for new/revised operating policies/procedures.
• Reviews state and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance of legal actions/processes.