Legal Clerk

GREEN LAKE COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:  Legal Clerk

DEPARTMENT:  District Attorney’s Office

LOCATION:  Government Center

SUPERVISOR:  District Attorney and Office Manager

PAY GROUP: 13

Summary:

This position supports the mission and vision of the Green Lake County District Attorney’s Office.  Provides advanced administrative, reception and case management support to the operations of the District Attorney’s office.  This position performs detailed and intricate drafting, reviewing and research tasks requiring independent judgment and a knowledge of both legal procedures and terminology.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney case files and other office files in a precise and efficient manner.  Including both electronic files and paper files.
• Screens and refers incoming phone calls to the proper person in the office.
• Prepares and organizes case files in the district attorney case management system.
• Arranges meetings, sends out notices when applicable.
• Prepares criminal complaints.
• Data and case entry into PROTECT; the statewide district attorney’s office case tracking and management system. Including maintaining compliance with State mandated case reporting requirements.
• Scans open and closed case filings.
• Maintains and updates all legal research resources in the District Attorney’s office.
• Compiles, redacts and disseminates discovery as mandated by Wisconsin State Statutes.
• Organizes and catalogs digital media including bodycam, squad camera video, photos and other forms of media into the State system, Protect.
• Intakes all traffic and forfeiture cases.  Schedules pre-trial conferences, sends offers per assigned attorney.    Maintains updating traffic/forfeiture deposit schedule on office shared drive.
• Monitors compliance in Plea Diversion Agreements, including verifying community service hours, counseling requirements, restitution payments, employment or school attendance requirements and any other provisions that were ordered by the court.  Files appropriate Motions with the Court.
• Reviews misdemeanor referrals from law enforcement agencies regarding misdemeanor offenses, with particular emphasis on the inclusion of required elements of crimes, calculating habitual criminality status by interpreting reports from CIB (Crime Information Bureau and NCIC (National Crime Information Center), reviewing driving records, domestic violence provisions, drug offenses occurring within a certain proximity of specified places per Wisconsin State Statutes and other modifiers or enhancers that may be applicable.
• Independently monitors Jury Trial deadlines and drafts necessary Subpoenas, Verdict Forms, Witness Lists and Motion In Limine documents.
• Verifies necessary evidence for trial is prepared: certified driving records, blood testing from the State Hygiene Lab including contacting the assigned analyst for his/her appearance in court, drug testing from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab including contacting the assigned analyst for his/her appearance in court.
• Anticipates and resolves problems to ensure accurate case record management regarding compliance with Discovery requirements.
• Performs legal research as requested by the District Attorney.
• Assists prosecutors during court proceedings.
• Performs other related functions as requested, to assure the efficient operations of the District Attorney’s office are completed.
• Must maintain confidentiality of information learned in performance of this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to understand the Wisconsin Criminal Traffic Code and the Wisconsin Criminal Statutes, also county municipal codes and DNR violations.
• Ability to work in various electronic media/video platforms.  This includes downloading files, organizing digital media, creating hyperlinks and media files.
• Knowledge of and ability to use and learn computer software and applications and a variety of office equipment including a computer, photocopier, calculator, fax machine, scanner and telephone proficiently.
• Ability to type and transcribe (approx. 40 wpm).
• Psychological ability to work on files with exposure to child victim cases, sexual assault crimes, homicides, fatal car crashes, suicides and other traumatic events including viewing scene and autopsy photographs demanding a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to access various platforms from law enforcement agencies such as Coreforce, Wasabi, Cerberus.  Identifies those materials needing Protective status and drafting Protective Court Stipulations and Orders
• Communicates with others in a professional and respectful manner.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system including legal terminology.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines in stressful situations.
• Ability to show initiative and be able to work with little or no direct supervision.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of a high school diploma, and two years of post-high school education or previous legal office experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.  Criminal Justice related office experience preferred.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Approximately 75% of the time is spent sitting, using near and far vision, medium to high fingering for typing and data entry.  Standing, walking, bending, kneeling, twisting, stooping, lifting and crouching are performed about 25% of the time.  Ability to lift, carry, push or pull up to 25 pounds.

Management’s assignment of essential functions is not designed to limit the manner in which duties may be accomplished.  Management shall comply with all applicable workplace laws and shall communicate with any employee with a disability to determine the availability of a reasonable accommodation(s) to allow the employee to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Over 95% of the time is spent inside; up to 5% of the time may be spent outside of the office, traveling to trainings or other departments.

EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Telephone, copy machine, calculator, personal computer and printer, dictation machine, fax machine, shredder, scanner and  vehicle.

This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical demands, working conditions and necessary skills.  It is not intended as a complete list of job duties, responsibilities and/or essential functions.  This description is not intended to limit or modify the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision.  The County retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete, from any section of this document as it deems in its judgement to be proper.