Serves as the Prosecutor in the judicial district for serious felony cases pertaining to adult prosecution. Serves as a legal advisor to law enforcement personnel providing legal advice during investigations. Trains law enforcement agencies on various legal issues ranging from report writing to specialized investigations.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)
Prosecutes serious felony cases. Analyzes cases presented for completeness of investigation and appropriateness of charges.
Reviews cases to determine appropriate disposition. Analyzes cases for appropriateness of bond and representing the State in bond hearings.
Ensures that victims are properly notified of court hearings, and that their input is solicited on case dispositions pursuant to the Victims Rights Act.
Researches legal issues involved in arrest and prosecution of defendants. Conducts preliminary hearings. Drafts and responds to legal motions and represents the state in hearings regarding them.
Conducts trials concerning charges. Presents facts to support appropriateness at sentencing hearing.
Prosecutes probation violations and represents the state in post conviction remedy motions. Researches and prepares appellate briefs.
Serves as legal advisor to law enforcement and trains law enforcement personnel in various legal issues ranging from report writing to specialized investigations.
Serves on executive boards and participates in appropriate task forces. Serves on promotional review boards as requested.
Reviews criminal cases to make decisions on disposition; reviews files, talks to witnesses and victims to determine the appropriateness of disposition based on the strength of the case, individual defendant's conduct and background, and the impact of the conduct on the victim and society.
Presents facts to support appropriateness of a sentence in court; researches and presents laws to support the legality of a sentence; obtains victim impact statements and accumulates evidence to support restitution to the victim.
Prosecutes probation violations on behalf of the State Probation Department; presents evidence to prove violations; represents the State on post-conviction remedy motions by researching and presenting arguments in court to support the legality of conviction and sentence.
Prosecute cases at jury or court trials.
Participate in the sentencing of criminal defendants.
Serves as a mentor to less experienced prosecutors in both the Count Court Deputy DA positions and the District Court Deputy DA positions.
Researches and prepares appellate briefs for the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court concerning legal issues that were resolved in a lower court (not appellate review).
Analyzes individual cases for appropriateness of bond; argues and presents facts and law in support of bond; argues and presents law to forfeit bond in favor of the State when appropriate; argues law and facts in support of revocation of bond when appropriate; prepares legal pleadings and documents appropriate for court action in all areas.
Meets with judges, law enforcement, probation, and the general public to identify and, where possible, resolve judicial system problems.
Will serve on call for questions and advice.
Attends related ongoing continuing education opportunities.
Oral and written communications must be clear and effective.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Demonstrate professionalism, composure, and appropriate interpersonal skills during performance of tasks, duties and responsibilities that take place in this adversarial system. This adversarial system includes contentious dealings (in person, by phone, electronically, or by written correspondence) with opposing counsel, upset individuals that may be defendants, victims, witnesses, law enforcement, or other members of the public, often resulting in mental and physical stresses.
Demonstrate professionalism, composure, and appropriate interpersonal skills in reviewing and/or discussing information pertaining to criminal cases. These criminal cases require frequent exposure to assaults and murders, including, but not limited to, physical assaults, verbal abuse, sexual assaults (upon adults and children), and child abuse. The discovery in the cases will also require frequent exposure to gruesome, disturbing, and/or sexually explicit photographs, images and recordings.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate. Five (5) years of related experience preferred.
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.
Licenses and Certifications:
Current Colorado Supreme Court license to practice law
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 10 pounds.
Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.
Please include a cover letter to address why are you interested in prosecution and any ties you may have to Western Colorado.
Successful candidates may apply for reimbursement of relocation expenses up to $2,000.00.
In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:
A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment.
A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance.
Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question.
Another factor related to job performance or business operations, such as paying a shift differential to workers on less popular shifts
This position is eligible for the Mesa County benefit package which includes the following:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Retirement
Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
Life insurance
Long term disability
