Tribal Prosecutor - Prosecutor's Office

Tribal Prosecutor - Prosecutor's Office (Open Until Filled)

TRIBAL PROSECUTOR

FT/REGULAR

EXEMPT - LEVEL 15

SALARY: $39.19/HR

GENERAL DEFINITION: The primary responsibility of this position will be to provide prosecutor service for the Zuni Tribe in all classes of criminal offenses. Investigate and prosecute criminal matters and related legal issues of crimes that occurred within the exterior boundary of the Zuni reservation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Tribal Administrator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises Victim Advocate Coordinator, Victim/Witness Advocate, Lay Advocate, and Legal Assistant.

DUTIES:

Performs all phases of prosecution over a wide range of criminal matter related issues.

• Exercise independent discretion in the prosecution of adult criminal offenses, juvenile delinquent or status offenses, and civil prosecution of child neglect, traffic offenses, fish and wildlife offences, exclusion matters, and other civil offences occurring within tribal jurisdiction.
• Advise the Zuni Police and Open Space Officers in investigation, evaluating evidence, case preparation and preparation of legal pleadings and ensure they are familiar with the relevant tribal codes including subpoenas, search warrants, and arrest warrants.
• Prepare written complaints, motions, proposed orders, legal briefs, jury instructions, sentence recommendations, and other legal papers; appear and argue matters before the Tribal Court at all levels of the proceedings, including pre‑trial, post‑trial, and appeal.
• Assist in improving the Tribe’s justice system, including development of codes and court rules, participation in meetings and training, preparation and implementation of grants.
• Present and prosecute all criminal complaints in Tribal Court.
• Ensure that police execute Court orders, documents, services of process and other legal requirements.
• Supervise the gathering of evidence by Tribal law enforcement officers to ensure that each case is promptly and fairly presented.
  • Initiate and/or assist in training tribal police officers in criminal and court procedures.
• Provide legal services for the Police Department, to assist Social Services and other tribal departments in filing through tribal court and other legal processes.
• Develop protocol for compiling chain of custody of evidence and legal review of cases.
• Develop legal strategy for prosecutorial process.
• Represent the interests of the Pueblo of Zuni in prosecuting individuals charged with violating Zuni Codes.
• Abide by the ethical code of conduct.

Provides management for individual cases in coordination with other service providers and POZ Public Safety programs.

• Review police reports and charging documents for probable cause. Recommend prosecution or dismissal of cases and present appropriate plea agreements to the court and recommend appropriate sentences to the court for convicted offenders.
• Conduct all stages of trial in prosecution of criminal offences.
• Prepare and argue or respond to appeals of criminal convictions before Tribal court of Appeals.
• Interact and coordinate individual case efforts with tribal court, law enforcement, social services and other support services available to victims and their families.
• Compile credible and cogent evidence and conduct necessary interviews of witnesses to assist in court presentation.
• Develop individual case legal strategies and present cases in court.
• Maintain criminal files.
• Prepare investigative and routine reports.
• Conduct periodic case reviews.

Provide management of prosecutor’s office and prosecution process.

• Interact and coordinate program efforts, as appropriate, with tribal court, law enforcement, social services, and other support services available to victims and their families and…