Attorney Entry Level - State's Attorney, District Court

About the role

This is legal work at the full performance level as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Office of the State’s Attorney for Howard County. Work includes prosecuting cases on behalf of the State of Maryland in Howard County Circuit and District Courts.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates prospective criminal cases to determine the adequacy and appropriateness of legal charges; drafts and prepares charging documents for prosecution.
• Interviews witnesses, conducts legal research, issues summonses, obtains documentary evidence, and prepares cases for trial; prosecutes matters in the Howard County Circuit and District Courts as an advocate for the State of Maryland.
• Responds to inquiries from the public and governmental agencies regarding criminal matters and legal procedures.
• Provides legal advice to District Court Commissioners, the Howard County Police Department, and the Maryland State Police on criminal law and procedure.
• Reviews statutes, case law, periodicals, and legal publications to stay current on developments in criminal law; trains and supervises law students and interns assigned to the office; participates in intra- and inter-divisional staff meetings.
• Serves as a liaison between the State's Attorney's Office and external agencies, organizations, and committees involved in the criminal justice system.

Requirements

Minimum Required Education/Experience: Law Degree from an accredited law school. Admitted to practice and in good standing with the Maryland Bar.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of the legal profession.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of criminal prosecution and court law and practices.
• Interviewing and prosecutorial techniques.
• Word processing and database programs.

Qualifications

Knowledge of the principles and practices of the legal profession. Knowledge of the principles and practices of criminal prosecution and court law and practices. Skill in interviewing and prosecutorial techniques. Skill in word processing and database programs.

Benefits

Flexible Benefits Plan: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life Insurance: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.

Paid Leave Benefits: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.

Retirement: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. Participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded.