Limited Term - 1 Year Legal Assistant I-III (Paralegal) Special Victims Unit

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

About The Position

The Delaware Department of Justice seeks a Legal Assistant (Paralegal) to support Deputy Attorneys General in the Criminal Division’s Special Victims Unit in Kent County. The role provides legal and case-management support for felony cases and involves frequent interaction with police officers, witnesses, and victims under the direction of Deputy Attorneys General. Duties include conducting intakes with police officers; compiling and organizing evidence for case reviews; redacting police reports and medical records; sending discovery; managing a high volume of case files; drafting and sending subpoenas; and drafting motions as needed. The Legal Assistant also follows up with police agencies to obtain outstanding evidence and other documents for trial preparation. The successful candidate must be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and be self-starting, detail-oriented, and well organized. The position is offered for a limited term of one year. Employment is contingent on satisfactory background checks, direct deposit is required, and applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System.

Requirements

Meet the applicable education, training, and experience qualifications for the Legal Assistant I, II, or III classification.
Depending on classification and qualification pathway, have a qualifying associate degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies, a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field, a Juris Doctorate, or specified experience in a similar Department of Justice capacity.
Depending on classification and qualification pathway, have experience preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
Depending on classification and qualification pathway, have experience conducting legal research, including research on statutes, regulations, case law, and background information.
Depending on classification and qualification pathway, have experience interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
Depending on classification and qualification pathway, have experience drafting legal documents such as briefs or memoranda of law, presenting facts, analyzing legal issues, and applying legal precedents.
Depending on classification and qualification pathway, have experience interviewing using structured or unstructured techniques to obtain facts, explore issues, and identify courses of action.
Be self-starting, detail-oriented, well organized, and able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Submit a recent resume with the application.
Satisfactorily complete required background checks.
Use direct deposit for paychecks as a condition of hire.

Responsibilities

Serve as a liaison between supervisors and interested parties, including court staff, clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, law enforcement, officials, and the public, to gather and provide information about case facts and status.
Establish and maintain complete, accurate case files throughout pre-hearing or pre-trial proceedings, trial, and sentencing.
Interview involved parties to gather discovery material and evidence and to complete legal or court documents.
Review police, medical, retail, surveillance, computer, electronic, body-worn-camera, and audio/video records; summarize relevant case details for Deputy Attorneys General and follow up 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 and redact materials for discovery and case preparation.
Research legal sources, including case law, judicial decisions, statutes, codes, regulations, and legal articles; provide written information on similar cases and relevant findings or legal opinions.
Prepare legal pleadings, including briefs, motions, indictments, information, and appeals.
Provide reports and recommendations regarding new or revised operating policies and procedures.
Review state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure legal actions and processes comply.
Conduct police-officer intakes, compile and organize evidence for case reviews, manage a high volume of felony case files, and obtain outstanding evidence and documents from police agencies for trial preparation.