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.

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 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
• 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
• Communicate effectively with law enforcement personnel, expert witnesses, lay witnesses, and victim witnesses
• 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
• 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).
• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• Open enrollment is held annually.

Deferred Compensation

• The County offers a 457 as another alternative to set aside money for retirement. This employer uses E-Verify