Legal Assistant I - III - Criminal Division - Various Units Sussex County

State of Delaware • Dover, DE

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking exceptional, highly motivated individuals to join the Criminal Division as Legal Assistants in Sussex 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 Sussex County. In Sussex County, the Criminal Division comprises several specialized units, including the Misdemeanor Trial 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.

Requirements

• Legal Assistant I: Three years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity OR Possession of an associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program OR A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field OR Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
• Legal Assistant I: Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
• Legal Assistant I: Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Legal Assistant I: Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
• Legal Assistant I: Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
• Legal Assistant II: Five years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity OR Possession of an Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program AND Two years of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND Two years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND Two years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents AND Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action OR Possession of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field AND One year of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND One year experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND One year experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND One year experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents AND One year experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action OR Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree OR Six years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND Six years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND Six years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND Five years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents AND Five years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
• Legal Assistant III: Possession of an Associate’s degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA approved program OR a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field AND Five years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND Five years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND Five years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND Five years’ experience in drafting legal documents such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents AND Five years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action OR Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree AND Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files AND Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information AND Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures AND Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents AND Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to function both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to handle a high-volume caseload.

Responsibilities

• 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 redactions 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.

Benefits

• Employment is contingent upon satisfactory background checks.
• Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• This position is part of a job classification that is represented by an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization), as elected by employees in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapters 13 and 16. While this position is now covered under a bargaining unit, a collective bargaining agreement is currently under negotiation, and terms and conditions of employment may be subject to change upon its ratification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree