Legal Assistant

The District Attorney’s Legal Assistant performs the full range of clerical and legal secretarial tasks unique to the Office of District Attorney. Responsibilities include complex word processing and record‑keeping in DA‑specific software (PROTECT), MS Outlook, and MS Word; drafting criminal complaints, juvenile petitions and orders; handling correspondence; entering intake data; completing fingerprint cards; accessing CCAP and multi‑state driver records; preparing files; serving as receptionist and scheduling hearings; tracking juvenile cases to meet statutory time limits; entering case file data into PROTECT; and using the CCAP‑PROTECT interface. The position requires excellent judgment, adherence to office procedures, and strict confidentiality, and is supervised by the District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Compiles reports for referral in Protect and opens appropriate files, entering data using Word and PROTECT Generates letters, memos, summons, subpoenas, warrants, stipulations, motions, orders, and other legal forms Organizes and supervises the check and immunization programs Assists the receptionist: answers phones, takes messages, schedules appointments, and furnishes information Communicates with law‑enforcement agencies, judges’ offices, clerk of court’s office, and health‑services departments regarding schedules, cases, and investigation follow‑ups Conducts internet research to obtain information relevant to office needs Obtains criminal histories and determines if a case may qualify for enhanced penalties Updates the office calendar and the PROTECT system to keep case information current Accesses the TIME System for Wisconsin to retrieve driving and criminal records Prepares jury instruction requests and witness lists Conducts traffic and ordinance pre‑trials on behalf of the Assistant District Attorney and District Attorney Ensures all juvenile orders are distributed to all parties involved in each case Assists in the courtroom as needed Applies statutory deadlines to ensure legal documents are filed and served on time Treats all persons dealing with the office with dignity and courtesy Manages correspondence to ensure timely service of process and communication with defendants, witnesses, court staff, and others Maintains knowledge of Department of Transportation licensing requirements and procedures Maintains strict confidentiality of all District Attorney functions Drafts probable cause sections of criminal complaints and juvenile delinquency petitions and other legal documents Schedules court hearings and appointments on the computer Maintains the law library and legal research resources Serves as TIME System Agency Coordinator and ensures regulatory compliance Serves as PROTECT and Statute Administrator Prepares writs regarding prison cases and coordinates prisoner transport to court from other jurisdictions Completes extraditions with prison authorities Sorts, indexes, and files records and materials relevant to the department promptly and accurately Ensures subpoenas are served on witnesses before trial dates Ensures criminal complaints are filed before initial appearances and copies are forwarded to attorneys and defendants Receives electronic reports and jail lists from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and requests missing reports from appropriate agencies Provides counter and over‑the‑phone service to the public, attorneys, and agencies by greeting, providing information, and answering inquiries Interacts with the public and co‑workers in a courteous, proficient, and professional manner Performs other duties as assigned Education and Experience Requirements Post‑secondary coursework in legal secretary, paralegal, administrative assistant, or related field; Legal Secretary Certificate preferred Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a law office or legal services environment Computer experience including Microsoft Office Suite, internet use, and accounting applications with knowledge of budgetary accounting principles Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Perform Job Knowledge and understanding of courthouse security procedures Ability to read and interpret documents and laws in English Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas in spoken and written formats so individuals may effectively communicate Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent Ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form Inductive and deductive reasoning – combining separate pieces of information or specific answers to problems to form general rules or conclusions; includes explaining seemingly unrelated events together and evaluating whether an answer is logical Ability to apply working knowledge of statutes, ordinances, court rules, and procedures #J-18808-Ljbffr County of Jackson