Paralegal 2 - Public Defender

This position works 37.5 hours per week. 

This position is responsible for creating and drafting various legal documents for the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, or Counsel for Defense and assisting Attorneys in pretrial preparation, trials, public hearings, meetings, or arbitrations. The position allocated to this class must exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, display a professional attitude and deal effectively with potentially difficult clients and sensitive subjects.  An understanding of the criminal justice system is essential along with an understanding of individual's constitutional rights.  Though word processing/computer skills are utilized, this is not a secretarial type position but requires an ability to maintain attorney files, court and interview schedules and case preparation with minimal supervision from attorney staff.  This classification differs from Paralegal 1 in level of supervision and complexity of assignment.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: $57,967 - $81,187 annually. Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

• Researches case law and assists with trial brief to support case.
• Reviews pre-trial motions and requests for discovery from defense attorneys, prepares responses, and tracks responses.
• Prepares instructions for submittal to the court.
• Edits and proofreads briefs and legal memos.
• Files agreed orders after completed.
• Assists in drafting legal documents under supervision of an attorney.
• Operates word processing and data base systems as required.
• Converses with police, corrections officers, agencies, witnesses, victims as directed to obtain pertinent facts.
• Interprets legal documents and explains legal procedures to victims, witnesses, and others.
• Assists attorneys with tasks as necessary for trial.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

Public Defender

• Assists defendants with setting up a payment plan to pay off their fines and court costs on civil infractions, to reinstate their driver's privileges. 
• Files and tracks daily payments.
• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Paralegal Studies or possession of a Certificate showing completion of paralegal studies. 
• One (1) year of experience in a position, such as a paralegal, with a criminal justice agency or law firm requiring legal research and related job duties. 
• Experience in a position with a criminal justice agency or law firm requiring legal research and related job duties, may be substituted, year for year, for education. 
• Possession of a valid Washington Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment. 
• Knowledge of legal terminology, legal and regulatory requirements, procedures and standard content of documents (including document formatting per court rules) and records as required by the position.
• Knowledge of general legal office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of business English, grammar, punctuation, and spelling; word processing, database and presentation applications, including the knowledge of macros.
• Knowledge of the operation of general office equipment such as copiers, faxes, telephones, personal computers.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials, and the general public.
• Ability to accurately keyboard a minimum of 50 words per minute.
• Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive and/or potentially volatile situations.
• Ability to resolve conflict and problem solve using confidentiality, discretion, patience, empathy and professionalism.
• Ability to understand and apply legal guidelines and regulations to varied operational requirements.
• Ability to prepare legal documents and correspondence using appropriate formatting, terminology and references.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to accurately complete work within established timeframes.
• Ability to adhere to prescribed office routines, policies, procedures and directions.
• Ability to maintain a professional personal appearance and courteous attitude toward the public and fellow employees.