ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY

Job Summary

Responsible for performing professional legal work for the Office of the Commonwealth Attorney. Work involves prosecuting persons suspected of violating State and local laws on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Employees in this class prosecute criminal cases in all county courts.

Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Prepares and prosecutes misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in The Juvenile and Domestic Relations, General District and/or Circuit Courts
• Screens cases for prosecution; determines proper charges
• Performs legal research
• Locates witnesses
• Prepares case documents
• Presents cases in court
• Negotiates with defense attorneys
• Attends/participates in arraignments of defendants in criminal cases. Investigates terms and conditions of bond
• Works with Crime Victims Advocate
• Prepares legal briefs/petitions to the Appellate Court. Keeps abreast of appellate court opinions and understands their application to similar cases
• Responds to customer requests and inquiries
• Maintains current knowledge of trends, legal issues and rulings, court opinions, legal procedures, new state, and local laws, etc.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs varied clerical tasks in support of assigned duties and responsibilities, i.e., filing, copying, etc.
• Performs related duties as required

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education and experience equivalent to a Juris Doctorate degree. Licensed to practice law in the State of Virginia. Special Qualifications: Must possess satisfactory results of a criminal history background check Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Virginia criminal and traffic laws, Virginia criminal procedures, Virginia and Federal constitutional issues, as well as local rules of court and trial practice
• Ability to perform intricate and rapid legal research, and to prepare legal briefs to trial and appellate courts
• Ability to communicate effectively with law enforcement personnel, expert witnesses, lay witnesses, and victim witnesses
• Ability to prepare and present complex cases before a trial court in a short period of time. Comprehensive working knowledge of efficient office procedures, and the ability to establish and maintain constructive, effective and professional relationships with fellow attorneys, public officials, judicial officers and the public
• Ability to present ideas and provide counsel effectively in writing and orally to professionals and lay persons. Ability to manage a large caseload
• Knowledge of computerized word processing, email communications and electronic cases

Working Conditions & Disclaimer

PHYSICAL DEMANDS Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds). Requires ability to perform coordinated movements, perceive and discriminate sounds, visual perception, and oral communication.

WORK ENVIRONMENT Essential functions are regularly performed in a Work is typically performed in an office or courtroom setting. Occasional requirement to visit major crime scene. Second-line contact with witnesses and defendants, who on occasion are rude, hostile, and angry. Daily contact is made with judges, clerks of court, law enforcement officers, other legal professionals, the general public in person, by telephone and by written communications. Considerable skill in diplomacy, tact and persuasion is necessary.

Disclaimer The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

General Sign-off: The employee is expected to adhere to all County policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.

County of Culpeper Benefits

Full-time employees have access to a wide variety of benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and a deferred compensation program.

RETIREMENT As a condition of full-time employment, each individual is enrolled in a retirement plan with the Virginia Retirement System that provides a monthly benefit to all retirees for life. VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plans are defined benefit plans. The VRS Hybrid plan consists of both a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan. All individuals are required to contribute 5% of their gross salary to their retirement account each month as a condition of employment.

LIFE INSURANCE The County of Culpeper provides a basic life insurance plan for all eligible employees. The coverage amount is an employee's annual salary, rounded up to the next highest thousand, then multiplied by 2. The County pays 100% of the cost of this benefit. Additional coverage may be purchased.

MEDICAL INSURANCE The County offers two (2) medical plans: an HMO & an HSA.

DENTAL INSURANCE The County offers three comprehensive dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents.

HOLIDAY/VACATION/SICK ACCRUALS The County follows the state calendar for paid holidays. Vacation and sick accrual depend on the agency, office, or department in which an individual is employed.

PAY FOR PERFORMANCE The County currently utilizes a merit pay system to determine employee salary increases. This does not apply to Culpeper Human Services.

SHORT TERM DISABILITY The County offers basic income protection in the event an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of his or her position. The County pays for this coverage for all VRS members.

LONG TERM DISABILITY The County also offers additional income protection that will continue beyond the short term disability period until an employee is able to return to work or reaches retirement age. This coverage is provided for a nominal cost to employees covered under VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plan. This coverage is provided at no cost to all employees covered under the VRS Hybrid plan.

VOLUNTARY INSURANCE PROGRAM The County offers voluntary insurance programs through a variety of insurance carriers. These include: Accident Plan Cancer Plan Whole Life Insurance Critical Illness Plans

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT The County offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that allows employees to set aside up to $2,500 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County offers a Dependent Care Assistance Program that allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay eligible dependent care expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year. Open enrollment is held annually.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION The County offers a 457 as another alternative to set aside money for retirement.