Legal Assistant I - Section Assistant

Texas Department of Criminal Justice • Huntsville, TX

45d

About The Position

Performs routine legal assistant work. Work involves researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents; and assisting attorneys with case management. Works under moderate supervision with minimal latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent or GED.
• Two years full-time, wage-earning experience in legal work. Thirty semester hours from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by the United States Department of Education (USDE) may be substituted for each year of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• graduation from a course study for legal assistants approved by the American Bar Association or the American Association for Paralegal Education.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and of research methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of administrative and court procedures.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of the legislative process.
• Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
• Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.
• Skill to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in problem-solving techniques.
• Skill in the use of computers and related equipment in a stand-alone or local area network environment.
• Skill to review technical data and prepare technical reports.
• Skill to conduct research and investigations.
• Skill to interpret court documents and correspondence.
• Skill to evaluate and relate findings of cases.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull, bend repeatedly, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry under 15 lbs., perceive depth, operate a motor vehicle, and operate motor equipment.
• Conditions include working inside, working around machines with moving parts and moving objects, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone, working protracted or irregular hours, and traveling by car, van, bus, and airplane.
• Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include computer and related equipment, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, dolly, and automobile.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in inmate time calculation preferred.
• Knowledge of time calculations related to sentencing of offenders preferred.
• Knowledge of agency and departmental organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations preferred.
• Skill to type 45 words per minute (with no more than 10 errors) preferred.
• Skill to interpret and translate Spanish to English and English to Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Schedules, attends, and prepares attorneys for hearings, trials, meetings, interviews, appellate arguments, depositions, and docket calls; participates in scheduling and prioritizing attorney caseloads; organizes case files; attends initial interviews and depositions; conducts investigations; prepares chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files; and explains previously interpreted laws, rules, and regulations to others.
• Researches and analyzes legal sources to include statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, articles, and various rules and regulations; drafts correspondence, memoranda, and other legal documents; and reviews mail and screens calls for attorneys.
• Coordinates the service of subpoenas, notices of depositions, and preparation of other legal documents, and coordinates work with state and federal law enforcement officials, courts, and agency officials.
• Assists in coordinating, assembling, and preparing evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and other documents for use in legal proceedings to include initial preparation of all trial files, and files pleadings with courts.
• Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees