GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general direction, performs professional and administrative legal work of substantial difficulty involving legal research, investigations, advising staff, preparation of ordinances, resolutions, pleadings, bench and jury trials, appeals and other activities for the City; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbents in this class are responsible for the performance of legal tasks involved in prosecuting a wide variety of misdemeanors for the City Attorney. Assistant City Prosecutor differs from City Attorney in that attorneys in this class continue to receive supervision from higher-level attorney personnel in the performance of their duties. Assistant City Prosecutor differs from Senior Assistant City Prosecutor in that attorneys in this class do not supervise employees and are not responsible for financial management of the Criminal Unit.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Reviews the file of each case, including police reports, previous convictions, and motions from the defense attorney.
• Prepares any necessary correspondence and prepares for the pre-trial conference.
• Attends various city council, board, commission or other meetings to advise on criminal justice-related issues, questions and related legal matters.
• Meets with defendants and/or their attorneys at pretrial conferences and explains available alternatives regarding pleas, fines, sentences, etc.
• Provides supervision to the Diversion Program.
• Works with crime victims to explain their rights in the criminal law process at the request of the Victims Assistance Coordinator.
• Works with the Victims Assistance Coordinator to ensure that all of the rights afforded to victims are recognized and adhered to.
• Investigates, prepares and prosecutes criminal misdemeanor and referred felony cases that go to trial.
• Interviews witnesses as necessary.
• Responds to defense motions; investigates, prepares and prosecutes forfeiture matters. appeals and related civil matters.
• Reviews police reports and codes investigation reports to determine if there is a basis for filing charges or prosecuting charges that have already been filed.
• Reviews trial records, prepares appellate briefs, and handles appeals of criminal matters.
• Conducts legal research as necessary regarding current cases or to answer questions.
• Answers questions from police officers, defendants or the public.
• Provides training to police officers on criminal laws and procedures.
• Directs and advises Code Enforcement in their efforts to use criminal prosecution to achieve their objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; and three years of increasingly responsible experience as a prosecutor in a City or County Attorney’s office; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. License to practice law in the State of Arizona and membership in good standing in the State of Arizona Bar Association.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of Federal, state and local law, particularly criminal law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence, both civil and criminal; principles, practices and methods of legal research; methods and practices of the presentation of cases in court.

Ability to Analyze and organize facts, evidence and precedence to identify the determining aspects of cases and to present them in a clear and logical manner; prepare and prosecute cases; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those encountered in the course of the work; diffuse difficult and potentially volatile situations.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees are frequently required to sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee may regularly be required to walk or stand and occasionally be required to lift up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; interact with court officials, attorneys and the public. The employee often comes in contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee works under typical office conditions; the noise level is usually quiet.

FLSA Status: Exempt
Revised: 03/27