Prosecuting Attorney l​/ll

Overview

Perform professional legal work within the Office of the City Attorney carrying entry to intermediate levels of volume, complexity, consequence, autonomy, and responsibility. The Prosecuting Attorney acts as the City’s legal representative and prosecutes cases in Municipal Court, which includes a full array of municipal criminal cases. Incumbents may perform duties in prosecution, legal research and advisement, contract review, and trial work.

PA I is the entry level in the Prosecuting Attorney series. Work concentrates on Municipal Court Prosecution and involves applying legal knowledge and skills to various municipal problems. Responsibilities may include assignment to advise and represent several different City departments and divisions, identify legal issues raised by City policies, practices and projects, recommend actions to address such issues, track, advise about and implement legislative amendments.

Work generally carries entry levels of volume, complexity, consequence, autonomy, and responsibility. As the incumbent acquires experience, the attorney performs with increasing volume, complexity, consequence, autonomy, and responsibility.

PA II is the journey level in the Prosecuting Attorney series. Work involves applying legal knowledge and skills to various municipal problems. Responsibilities may include assignment to advise and represent several different City departments and divisions, identify legal issues raised by City policies, practices and projects, recommend actions to address such issues, track, advise about and implement legislative amendments. Analyze and advise on complex municipal law and other matters effectively with minimal attorney supervision and feedback.

Provides training and support to attorneys, city staff, and others engaged in municipal court cases. Work is distinguished from that of PA I by greater volume, complexity, consequence, autonomy, and responsibility.

• Research and interpret federal and state statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Appear in court for motions, changes of pleadings and sentencing.
• Review probation performance of defendants after conviction.
• Ensure criminal prosecutions from police are properly screened.
• Ensure criminal cases are prepared for trial.
• Conduct pre‑trial conferences with the general public and attorneys concerning ordinance violations and corresponding paperwork.
• Represent the City during municipal court trials regarding ordinance violations.
• Provide a defense to appeal of municipal court convictions.
• Write briefs and respond to motions, conduct legal research and draft legal opinions.
• Advise local liquor licensing authority on licensing and enforcement issues.
• Provide procedural information to general public on Code Enforcement issues.
• Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations.
• Draft ordinances for and provide code enforcement advice to City departments.
• Review police reports and determine appropriate charges and dispositions.
• Prepare for and conduct arraignments, pre‑trial hearings, bench trials, jury trials, and sentencing.
• Interview victims and witnesses of crimes.
• Prepare pleadings, undertake discovery and draft appeals.
• Enter into plea negotiations with defendants or their attorneys during pre‑trial conferences.
• Provide legal guidance to Police Department and other City departments.
• Draft ordinances and prepare memos for City Council and other City departments.
• Perform with integrity; demonstrate honesty and sensitivity to ethical issues; avoid actual or apparent impropriety.
• Maintain confidential relationships with the City Attorney, city council, members of boards and commissions and City staff.
• Ability to pass a background check and gain CJIS clearance to access sensitive law enforcement databases.

Most work is performed in a standard office environment but also requires occasional travel to court or other offices or law libraries. Work requires some evening, early morning and weekend work. Work requires much mental effort, study and concentration, often under pressure of time and adverse consequences of error or failure.