Witness Assistant I, Da - Emergency Appointment

County of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

13d

About The Position

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is recruiting Witness Assistant I employees under an emergency appointment process to help stabilize critical services. Qualified applicants may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days. During that period, work performance is assessed; applicants who pass may be considered for permanent County appointment. The position assists deputy district attorneys by ensuring that witnesses required to testify in criminal court trials appear at the designated time and place. It provides administrative support for pre-trial and ongoing court proceedings and addresses related problems while working with attorneys, judges, investigators, law enforcement, court and medical personnel, County staff, outside vendors, and the public.

Requirements

One year of specialized office clerical experience involving extensive public contact to obtain information in support of legal processes. The experience must be at the level of the County’s Intermediate Clerk, Intermediate Typist-Clerk, or higher.
A valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation when needed to perform job-related essential functions.
Must be willing and able to work in any area of Los Angeles County and on any shift, including evenings, nights, and weekends.

Responsibilities

Persuade victims, witnesses, police officers, firefighters, and medical personnel to appear in court as scheduled or rescheduled.
Evaluate witnesses’ commitment to testify through regular telephone conversations.
Notify attorneys and investigators of problems or conflicts, such as uncooperative witnesses, and recommend solutions.
Work with attorneys, judges, investigators, law enforcement, court and medical personnel, County staff, vendors, and the public to resolve witness-appearance problems.
Document, search for, and locate victims and witnesses using telephone and cross directories, court records, databases, and information systems.
Question employers, relatives, and acquaintances to locate missing or reluctant victims and witnesses.
Serve and re-serve subpoenas by email, mail, fax, telephone, or in person, with an investigator’s assistance as needed.
Review subpoenas and witness lists for accuracy and completeness and make necessary corrections within the allotted time.
Instruct victims and witnesses on laws, rules, and court procedures governing their appearance and testimony.
Contact victims, witnesses, police, firefighters, medical personnel, and expert witnesses to arrange on-call availability for court proceedings.
Advise and notify attorneys, victims, witnesses, and police officers of appearance times and locations, travel arrangements, and reimbursement claims.
Keep witnesses and police informed about case status and pending testimony.
Coordinate airline, hotel, and ground transportation for victims and witnesses.
Prepare reimbursement forms for travel, transportation, lodging, meals, and witness fees.
May testify in court about steps taken to ensure a victim’s or witness’s appearance when they do not appear.