Series Specification/Deep Class

Job Specifications

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under direction, to perform professional legal work for the County through the District Attorney's Office; to prepare and prosecute criminal and civil cases in the courts; to perform special or supervisory assignments on a rotational basis; and do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

• Attorney I is the entry and first professional level. Incumbents are required to be members of the California State Bar but need no experience practicing law and work under the direction of a more experienced attorney.
• Attorney II is the second professional level. Incumbents will handle routine cases in Municipal Court with normal guidance from a more experienced attorney. Incumbents may be assigned on-going administrative responsibility for a functional area.
• Attorney III is the third professional level. Incumbents will generally handle any case in Municipal Court or Juvenile court and less complex cases in Superior Court with only occasional guidance. Incumbents may be assigned on-going administrative responsibility for a functional area. A Supervising Attorney assignment (deep class) may be assigned on a rotational basis.
• Attorney IV is the fully qualified journey level. Incumbents generally handle the more complex cases in any court in the County. Incumbents may be assigned on- going administrative responsibility for a functional area or rotate between a variety of special or supervisory assignments. A Senior Trial Attorney assignment (deep class) may be assigned on a rotational basis.

TYPICAL TASKS

Interviews and advises complainants and witnesses; examines, evaluates and presents evidence; prepares and prosecutes infraction, misdemeanor and felony cases in the courts; prepares and handles civil cases under the jurisdiction of the District Attorney; reviews offense reports, evidence and makes decisions on charges to be brought; negotiates case dispositions with defense counsel; pre pares opinions, briefs, pleadings, warrants, and other legal documents; studies and analyzes writs, pleadings, exhibits, case files and records in order to ascertain the issues before the court and appropriate legal precedent; conducts specialized legal research and prepares memoranda regarding the results of such research; provides legal advice and training to local law enforcement agencies and to the County Grand Jury. Supervising Attorney Assignment (rotational deep class assignment for levels III and IV): Supervises a work unit of attorneys including: assigning and reviewing of cases; preparing performance evaluations; providing technical and administrative supervision, advice and training; making case filing decisions; developing new or improving existing systems and procedures to facilitate efficient and effective work flow of cases in the office and through the courts; negotiating, and/or approving settlement decisions; acting as a liaison between the work unit and related departments and agencies on as signed cases; providing coverage for attorneys in unit as needed and maintaining an additional caseload, as required. Senior Trial Attorney Assignment (rotational deep class assignment for level IV): Litigate and negotiate the most complex and intricate civil and criminal cases or assignments, such as handling high profile major cases, change in venue, consumer fraud, major fraud, child molest, sexual assault, murder and death penalty cases.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Attorney I

Some knowledge of:

• Legal principles and their application;
• Legal research methods;
• Principles and practices of criminal law;
• Principles and practices of civil law required for positions assigned to Consumer Affairs.

Attorney II

Working knowledge of the above, plus:

• California Criminal law;
• Rules of the courts, procedures and policies of the District Attorney's Office;
• Principles of supervision and administrative practices may be required for some positions.

Attorney III/IV

Thorough knowledge of the above.

Ability to:

All Levels

• Analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to legal problems;
• Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form;
• Act as an effective trial advocate;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of the work;
• Adhere to ethical standards.
• Attorney II/III/IV
• Analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments;
• Administer a functional program area of the District Attorney's Office may be required for some positions.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

• Attorney I: Graduation from law school.
• Attorney II: One year of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*
• Attorney III: Two years of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*
• Attorney IV: Three years of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*
• * Experience gained after admission to a State Bar. Experience in the practice of civil law may be substituted for criminal law for positions assigned to Consumer Affairs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Membership in the California State Bar is required for all levels. (NOTE: For Attorney I, law school graduates who have taken the California Bar Exam and not yet received their results, may participate in a recruitment/examination process. Names of candidates who pass the County examination will be placed "inactive" on the eligible list until the County receives written confirmation of their passing the California State Bar Exam.)