This job was posted by https://www.azjobconnection.gov : For more information, please see: https://www.azjobconnection.gov/jobs/6626422

Performs professional legal work assisting the City Attorney and City Prosecutor with researching and drafting ordinances and legal memoranda; enforcing ordinances and statutes; prosecuting misdemeanors in City Court; and advising City staff, consulting with the City Prosecutor, City Council, City Managers Office and External Stakeholders as assigned.\ \ Employees of this class in the Prosecution section will be under the direct supervision of the City Prosecutor, and are expected to exercise a great degree of independence, initiative, and professional expertise in the day-to-day prosecution of misdemeanor cases before the Flagstaff Municipal Court and the research functions of criminal law. An important aspect of this position is preparing and properly representing the city/state in misdemeanor trials as well as providing training, consultation and advice to less experience prosecutors, to police officers, support staff and other internal and external stakeholders as needed.

Examples of the Work Performed

• Handles all phases of prosecuting criminal misdemeanor cases, including City Code violation cases, and some civil traffic cases, before the Flagstaff Municipal Court.
• Conducts jury and nonjury trials and trains and assists junior prosecutors in doing so.
• Appears in court for hearings, including but not limited to evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, restitution hearings, status hearings, and probation revocation hearings.
• Conducts legal research, develops arguments and drafts legal briefs in criminal cases as well as civil or appellate cases as needed.
• Appears at Initial Appearances and Arraignments and provides the Court with the States position as to release conditions, if any.
• Conducts pre-trial conferenceswith defendants and defense attorneys in criminal cases and negotiates plea agreements.
• Prepares disclosure statements; responds to requests from defense for additional disclosure; negotiates and/or litigates issues.
• Reviews information provided by defense after pre-trial conferences but before trial; performs factual and/or legal research; if necessary negotiates plea offers; prepares written plea agreements and related paperwork; appears at change of plea hearings; reviews plea agreements with defendants; submits plea agreements to judge; provides judge with factual basis for charges; resolves any last minute disputes.
• Reviews sentencing files and prepares sentencing recommendations; appears at sentencing hearings, submits sentencing recommendations and argues in support of those recommendations as necessary.
• Communicates with crime victims and Victim Witness advocates and keeps them advised of case status.
• Files appeals to the Superior Court and sometimes to the Arizona Court of Appeals and responds to defense appeals.
• Interviews police officers and other witnesses to ascertain that evidence is complete and will be well presented.
• Assists the police department with ongoing trainings and consultation for individual officers as well as department wide, consults with Police Legal Advisor on rule and law changes and assists in crafting or adjusting policy, and informs affected private citizens in criminal matters.
• Reviews requests from citizens and law enforcement officers to charge crimes.
• Occasionally prosecutes conflict cases for other jurisdictions.
• Attends various City Council, board, commission, or other meetings to advise on legal problems and questions regarding legal matters.
• Researches and drafts ordinances, resolutions, intergovernmental agreements, development agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal document .
• Researches and renders opinions and advice on a wide range of complex legal issues to City Council, boards, commissions, as directed by City Attorney or City Prosecutor, and to upper level administrative and professional staff.
• Conducts trainings for city staff on areas of expertise, specifically including, but not limited to, Law Enforcement.
• Assists and coordinates with other departments regarding legal matters affecting their operations.
• Assists the public regarding legal proceedings, procedures, or general questions or concerns relating to City legal matters, as required.
• May be assigned to research criminal matters as well as civil.
• May be assigned to investigate, prepare, and try administrative, civil, or criminal cases and appeals by or against the City in city, county, state, or federal courts, commissions or other administrative bodies.
• Will be assigned to mentor or supervise other attorneys in areas of expertise, and to provide supervision for junior prosecutors, support staff and interns.
• Prepares legal memoranda and briefs and performs legal analyses.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.