Legal Assistant I-III (Paralegal) Forfeiture Unit/Criminal Division

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

About The Position

The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking an exceptional and highly motivated individual to join the Forfeiture Unit within the Criminal Division as a Legal Assistant (Paralegal). While the Forfeiture Unit of the Criminal Division has state-wide responsibility, this position could be located out of New Castle County or Kent County. This is a limited-term position with an anticipated duration of two (2) years. This Legal Assistant will provide support to Deputy Attorneys General in the Forfeiture Unit by reviewing all Title 16 seizures and is responsible for tracking the forfeiture cases and related criminal cases from intake through the final disposition. This Legal Assistant will prepare case files, discovery, motions, pleadings, stipulations, subpoenas, applications, notification of forfeiture letters and mailings, and orders. This Legal Assistant will assist the attorneys when preparing for and attending court hearings and will prepare and maintain court scheduling lists and court dockets and other related duties as may be assigned. In addition, this Legal Assistant shall track all pending forfeiture cases and all related criminal cases and record statistics as required by HB280. This position requires the recording and maintaining of statistics on forfeiture cases. This Legal Assistant shall review 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; summarize pertinent details of the case for Deputy Attorney Generals; follow up as necessary for additional documents; draft answers to litigation complaints and responses to form 30 interrogatories; issue subpoenas to obtain medical, insurance, and employment records; prepare and serve discovery; make required redactions for discovery and case preparation. Additional responsibilities of this role include assisting Deputy Attorneys General with Title 11 seizures and assisting in the SLEAF process.

Requirements

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
Three years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.
Possession of an associate degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field.
Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
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.
Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

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.