Assistant City Attorney I / Prosecutor

This job description is for Assistant City Attorney I. Dependent upon qualifications, candidate may be eligible for Assistant City Attorney II or III. You may view the job descriptions and pay ranges for levels II and III below. You only need to submit one application to be considered for all levels.

Class Specifications | Assistant City Attorney II | Class Spec Details (governmentjobs.com)
Class Specifications | Assistant City Attorney III | Class Spec Details (governmentjobs.com)

Performs professional legal work assisting the City Prosecutor with researching and drafting legal memoranda; enforcing ordinances and statutes; and prosecuting misdemeanors in City Court.

Employees of this class in the Prosecution section will be under the direct supervision of the City Prosecutor, and are expected to exercise a significant 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• Appears at Initial Appearances and Arraignments and provides the Court with the States position as to release conditions, if any.
• Conducts pre-trial conferences with 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; 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 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.
• 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.
• Prepares legal memoranda and briefs and performs legal analyses.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association with an L.L.B., or a J.D

• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona

• Familiarity with the Criminal Justice System including terminology and process

• Or any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the above Minimum Requirements.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess, or obtain upon employment, a valid Arizona drivers license.

• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Skill in expressing oneself clearly, logically and persuasively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to write clear, concise, and defensible briefs and memoranda.
• Ability to conduct thorough legal research and prepare sound legal opinions.
• Ability to understand and present complex legal and scientific theories in a hearing or courtroom setting.
• Ability to analyze, assess, and organize facts, evidence and precedents and effectively present such materials verbally and in writing.
• Working knowledge of local, county, state, and federal laws that relate to the criminal prosecution of suspects and/or enforcement of laws affecting municipal government.
• Working knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence.
• Ability to draft clear and enforceable contracts and ordinances.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research of a complex nature and to conduct and present clear and succinct analyses of complex issues.
• Ability to independently exercise good judgment and use discretion, while following rules, statutes, plea guidelines and the direction of superiors and supervisors.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods of legal research and of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-attorneys, law enforcement officers, subordinates, employees, public officials at other governmental entities, legal counsel for persons and entities working with the City, and the general public.