Assistant County Attorney (Criminal or Civil)

COUNTY OF REDWOOD•Redwood Falls, MN

1d•$108,158 - $151,526•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant County Attorney handles criminal prosecutions from charging decisions through sentencing for felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and petty misdemeanor cases, as assigned or requested by the County Attorney, or in the County Attorney’s absence. The position also performs work with the County Attorney’s Office and other departments in areas including civil law, human services, child welfare, commitments, planning and zoning, tax appeals, probate, highways, environmental matters, vulnerable adults, guardianships, conservatorships, child support, child protection, and delinquency. The role represents Redwood County in court and provides legal research, advice, and document drafting for criminal and civil matters. It may include defending the County and its agencies in lawsuits, advising County officials and staff, reviewing or drafting contracts and other legal forms, and representing Human Services at civil commitment hearings and in probate matters. The position must protect confidential and not-public data in accordance with applicable laws and professional rules. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
License to practice law in Minnesota and membership in good standing of the State Bar.
Considerable knowledge of County ordinances and state and federal laws, including accepted legal or court interpretations and Minnesota court decisions.
Working knowledge of civil law principles, particularly concerning ownership, acquisition, and conveyance of real property.
Knowledge of criminal law principles and the problems of criminal law enforcement, procedure, and evidence.
Knowledge of what can be accomplished through legal approaches versus administrative approaches and how to balance them to achieve County department objectives and protect the public interest.
Ability to assess opponents’ available actions and probable courses of action in court cases.
Effective oral and written communication skills and strong public relations skills.
Ability to present and argue cases in court and address situations as they arise.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to operate general office equipment and use information systems, including current email, word processing, spreadsheet, and related legal applications.
Ability to create and maintain a participative, team-oriented work environment.
Valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
Other combinations of education and experience may provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the job.

Responsibilities

Review law enforcement reports, witness statements, warrant applications, subpoenas, affidavits, and related materials.
Prepare witnesses and evidence for evidentiary, preliminary, administrative, adjudication, dispositional, court-trial, jury-trial, and post-trial proceedings.
Represent Redwood County in District Court proceedings, including arraignments, pre-trials, evidentiary and omnibus hearings, motion hearings, plea and sentencing hearings, settlement conferences, court and jury trials, and probation violation hearings.
Coordinate with probation agents and caseworkers.
Enforce the Victim’s Rights Act under Chapter 611A and conduct plea negotiations.
Draft correspondence, complaints, petitions, legal memoranda, appellate briefs, motions, proposed findings and orders, and other legal documents; conduct legal research as needed.
Appear at conciliation court, district court, appellate court, and special hearings.
Draft legal documents such as easements, contracts, and joint powers agreements.
Conduct related administrative tasks, including attending meetings at the County Attorney’s request, participating on committees, recording timekeeping and court results, answering and returning calls, and responding to correspondence as requested.
Conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and advise the County Attorney, Board of Commissioners, and Redwood County agencies.
Maintain professional knowledge of changes in law and practice through legal publications, continuing legal education, and legislative announcements.
Maintain confidentiality when handling files, interviewing witnesses, and disseminating information in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Rules of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.
Appear before the Redwood County Board of Commissioners and other commissions as directed by the County Attorney.
Review and analyze information and data provided by County staff or law enforcement and determine an appropriate course of action, including preparing complaints, petitions, pleadings, and orders.
Provide legal advice and direction to County staff.
Defend the County and its agencies, as counsel or co-counsel, in lawsuits brought against the County, its agents, officials, or employees.
Apply legal principles and working knowledge of County department functions to identify, define, and evaluate problems affecting County officials, agencies, department heads, and employees.
Monitor County officers, agencies, department heads, and employees for legal compliance and support the County’s risk management efforts.
Research legal issues and prepare memoranda, briefs, and opinions; analyze statutes, legislation, case law, and other relevant information affecting County policy or operations.
Analyze matters in light of office policy, ethical considerations and standards, available resources, and social, moral, and legal objectives.
Review and, when requested, draft proposed changes to ordinances, administrative procedures, and County policies to comply with state or federal law or at the request of County staff.
Provide legal counsel and written legal opinions to the County Attorney, County boards and administrator, elected and other officials, department heads, law enforcement officers, and other County personnel.
Review or draft legal forms for bids, contracts, and bonds for County work; draft and advise on contracts, including real estate transactions, service agreements, and joint powers agreements.
Review commitment, guardianship, and conservatorship documents before filing; represent Redwood County Human Services at civil commitment hearings and in probate matters.
Limit access to not-public data to what is necessary for assigned work, prevent unauthorized access, and properly store the data under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13.
Perform other related work as required.