Under general supervision, serves as support personnel to attorneys and as liaison between attorneys and clients, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, and others associated with the attorney's cases; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
An incumbent in this class is responsible for aiding specific attorneys and/or specialized units in the preparation of cases for trials and/or other hearings.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Acts as liaison between attorneys and witnesses, clients, family of clients, law enforcement personnel, governmental agencies, and others; schedules and arranges witness interviews; fills out subpoena request form.
Drafts subpoenas duces tecum; obtains documentary evidence, open and closed case files pertaining to witnesses, clients and defendants, plaintiffs, and other information pertinent to assigned cases; assists in the preparation of court exhibits; compiles reports, statements, and transcripts; copies police reports, investigative reports, statements and transcripts; assists in discovery.
Obtains the signature of judges on court orders; files court documents.
Assists attorneys in the presentation of cases; takes notes at court hearings; delivers discovery information and messages; notifies witnesses regarding appearances.
Writes case summaries or statements of fact for points and authorities; copies case law and assists attorneys with legal research.
Observes, assists records and participates in witness interviews.
Assists in providing court orientation to witnesses and clients; provides updates and procedural information to witnesses, victims, clients and the family of victims, and clients regarding the status and nature of court dates.
May testify in court regarding witness interview, witness statements, contacts with witnesses and clients, and other pertinent facts of assigned cases.
May serve subpoenas on witnesses and subpoenas duces tecum on custodians of records.
Drafts correspondence, memoranda, and reports.
Codes, posts, and summarizes court actions; keeps statistics and other data pertinent to the cases assigned to the office; assists in the preparation of monthly and yearly reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
AND
EITHER I
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in administration of justice, pre-law, political science, public administration, English, psychology, or a social or behavioral science.
OR II
Experience: Four years clerical experience in a law office that specialized in criminal law, two years of which must have been at least at the level of Specialist Clerk in San Joaquin County.
Substitution: A Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, nursing, Business Administration, Health Care Administration or closely related field may be substituted for one year of the general experience.
KNOWLEDGE
Basic court organization processes and procedures; law enforcement investigation procedures; legal terminology and legal documents; functions and responsibilities of basic governmental agencies; interviewing techniques; basic legal research techniques; basic work processing skills.
ABILITY
Organize and prioritize job tasks; follow written and oral directions; express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; establish effective working relationships with co-workers and others; establish rapport with witnesses, victims, clients and the family of victims and clients; analyze and apply basic legal principles; read and interpret legal documents and related materials; establish and maintain data collection and retention systems.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Notify Me when a Job Opens for the above position(s)