Court Services Specialist

About the role

Perform as a liaison with the Albuquerque Police Department and outside agencies and the courts; review misdemeanor case preparation for compliance with departmental standards and court requirements and provide professional staff assistance.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate misdemeanor cases, criminal complaints and arrest warrants for legal sufficiency or completeness prior to arraignments.
• Perform as liaison with the District Attorney's office; ensure that appropriate witnesses and police officers are summoned on a timely basis.
• Assist the District Attorney's office in gathering additional information and documentation needed for prosecution.
• Communicate with the District Attorney's office regarding the status of late cases.
• Enter case tracking information into computer system and prepare officer notifications on misdemeanor bookings and warrants.
• Review investigative reports and prepare documentation of rejected cases.
• Prepare files, print discovery and accept and process continuances and motions for officer prosecution cases in compliance with the rules of Metropolitan Court, Department Standard Operating Procedures and unit training standards.
• Process pre-trial requests according to the standard operating procedure for accepting pre-trial requests/statements.
• Monitor and report officer failure to appear for all court and legal proceedings to include pre-trial interviews to the Court Services Supervisor.
• Represent the prosecutorial interests in order to provide a solid case to the District Attorney's office.
• Research and compile necessary information from a variety of databases.
• Answer the telephone and assist law enforcement personnel, employees of the judicial system and the general public; relay messages and provide information on departmental and City policies and procedures as required.
• Deliver, retrieve and file legal documentation at Metropolitan Court. Deliver and retrieve legal documentation to the District Attorney's Office.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
• May be required to respond to requests and inquiries from law enforcement personnel, employees of the judicial system and the general public.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration or criminal justice.
• Two (2) years of legal assistant or legal secretary experience or equivalent experience in a law enforcement customer service environment.

Working conditions: Office environment with exposure to computer screens. Physical requirements include maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing and sitting for prolonged periods; extensive computer screen, keyboard, copier and fax machine usage; light lifting and carrying required.

Requirements

• Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from date of hire.