Legal Process Assistant II

Performs a variety of intermediate-level legal clerical work of moderate difficulty and complexity requiring general knowledge of court procedures and department functions. Examples of duties include: filing and processing court documents; attending court and recording or preparing minutes of proceedings; preparing dockets for cases to be heard; and assisting the public with detailed questions and court paperwork.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Legal Process Assistant II classification is distinguished from the Legal Process Assistant I by the greater complexity of clerical assignments and by the requirement for more technical knowledge to perform assigned work. Work is performed independently in accordance with established methods, practices, and systems.

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions of this class.)

Sets-up, maintains, and updates accurate and complete case files and records making required docket entries; prepares case files for court sessions, processing and/or assuring inclusion of all necessary legal documents as ordered by the court; monitors inactive files and destroys as authorized.

Prepares court calendars for civil, criminal, small claims, or traffic infraction hearings and cases; assigns court dates, assuring compliance with Washington State Codes and statutory requirements for due process and timely hearings.

Attends courts and keeps detailed entries of all court actions; prepares courtroom; tapes court proceedings; prepares and/or maintains court reporter notes, exhibits, depositions, dismissals, record cases, and appeal files.

Provides judge with all case files, briefs, interrogatories, memorandums, and appropriate entries on computer as to each case and hearing held.

Enters, updates, retrieves, and processes computer data; verifies the data input information for other legal process assistants.

Maintains monthly court-related workload indicators and statistical information; compiles data from varied sources and makes summary reports as directed. May involve statistical calculations and tabulations in accordance with established formulas and equations.

Searches files and records for readily identifiable information as directed or based on County policies or legal requirements. Obtains information from other groups as necessary and as authorized in order to complete own assignment.

From hand written drafts, verbal or standing instructions, or transcriber, prepares and distributes a variety of letters, memos, legal forms, documents, calendars, and reports using office machines as required such as computer terminal, Microsoft Office, excel, calculator, photocopier, scanner and other standard office equipment.

Receives payment of court fines, bail, penalty assessments and fees; records and receipts payments according to established Court procedures.

Greets and assists the public, staff and other agencies by phone or in person by providing detailed information and court policies, procedures, and processes as authorized from sources such as published manuals, directories and procedures, calendars and staff schedules; initiates correspondence and/or provides service within scope of authority; refers inquiries/visitors to appropriate department or individual when necessary.

Records and/or microfilms legal documents; indexes and files films, and sends duplicate copies of documents/films to appropriate departments.

May assist in training other clerical staff and/or volunteers.

Provides back-up support and assistance to other legal process assistant positions in case of absence or work overload.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma, or G.E.D., two years of progressively responsible clerical experience, including one year of legal office experience; or any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Washington State Driver's License.

Notary Public helpful.

Knowledge of office practices, procedures and equipment.

Knowledge of court procedures, legal processes, and the criminal justice system.

Knowledge of legal terminology, forms, and documents.

Knowledge of basic math, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide accurately.

Working knowledge of department functions, procedures and related legal regulations and requirements.

Skill in operating standard office equipment such as Microsoft Office, calculator, scanner and photocopier.

Good oral communications skills to explain detailed policies and procedures and to deal with other employees, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and the general public using courtesy, tact and good judgment.

Ability to read, understand, apply and explain County/department policies and procedures.

Ability to work independently, organizing work with a minimum of supervision.

Ability to establish and maintain complex manual and computerized filing and recordkeeping systems.

Ability to work quickly, accurately and thoroughly with close attention to detail to meet deadlines.

Ability to prepare accurate legal documents, forms, correspondence, and records, using accurate business English, composition, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ability to type at level required for specific position.