Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney – Mecosta County

General Summary

Under the direction of the Prosecuting Attorney, presents criminal cases in District and Circuit Court. Regularly performs the functions of an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, includes reviewing and authorizing requests for warrants and determining the appropriate charge. and prosecuting criminal cases.  Serves in an on-call capacity.  Acts for the Prosecuting Attorney in the absence of that individual and assists the Prosecutor with administrative functions as assigned.

Essential Functions

1. Regularly performs the functions of an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, includes reviewing and authorizing requests for warrants, determining the appropriate charge and prosecuting criminal cases.  Assumes responsibility for prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases. 
2. Appears in court for arraignments, motions, trials, sentencing and other proceedings to represent the Prosecutor.  Selects jury, presents arguments, examines and cross-examines witnesses, introduces physical exhibits, confers with Judge and defense counsel on points of law and procedure, and argues factual conclusions to a Judge or jury.
3. Reviews requests for search warrants and authorizes warrants as appropriate.
4. Performs all aspects of case preparation for the prosecution of criminal matters, includes researching cases, writing briefs, preparing witnesses, and all other aspects of case preparation.
5. Performs extensive legal research in the course of prosecuting cases, including ongoing research of new cases and statutes.
6. Assists in administering departmental operations, developing policies and procedures and assisting with other administrative functions as assigned.  Assists the Prosecutor in ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures of the office. 
7. Assists legal and support staff with inquiries related to operational and procedural matters.
8. Advises and assists law enforcement officers within the County on legal issues and problems, questions of law and procedure, interpretation of court rulings, case preparation, and other matters related to criminal prosecution.  Works with the Prosecutor in the development and presentation of training sessions for all law enforcement agencies in the County.
9. Assumes responsibility for special projects at the direction of the Prosecutor.
10. Provides legal opinions to County officials and provides statutory interpretation and general legal advice for departments.  May review contracts leases, and other legal documents for County departments and officials.
11. Prepares, initiates and litigates forfeiture actions, including drug forfeitures in Circuit Court.
12. Performs appellate work for the office and engages in the legal analysis of appellate issues for appeals.  Researches and writes legal briefs, answers and motions after reading the record and researching the law.  May prepare and present oral arguments.
13. Represents the Prosecutor on various committees and assignments as designated, including sitting on the Gun Board, Community Corrections Board, and other committee or Board assignments.
14. Performs any other functions of an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney as necessary.
15. Acts for the Prosecutor in the absence of that official.
16. Serves in a rotating 24-hour on-call capacity to respond to request for arrest and search warrants.

Other Functions

1. None listed.

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks.  (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employees may be expected to perform.)

Employment Qualifications

Education: Law degree from an accredited law school. 

Experience: Four years of criminal law experience as an Assistant Prosecutor including at least two years at the felony trial level, experience with a large caseload and warrant review, and substantial circuit court trial experience involving serious felony charges. 

Other Requirements: Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description.  The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Physical Requirements:  [This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description.  These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements.  Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements]:

Ability to access all courtrooms within the County.

Ability to remove books and other reference materials from bookshelves and transport to worksite.

Prolonged sitting and standing while in the courtroom.

Ability to carry briefcase, files and legal volumes to courtrooms.

Working Conditions:

Works in office and courtrooms.

Exposure to individuals charged and/or convicted of a variety of criminal offenses and others with various physical and mental illnesses.

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Salary (Exempt)

Mecosta County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Starting pay: $74,224-$92,828 

Position opening:  Immediate

Position closing:  When filled.

Complete the Mecosta County Application and Authorization for Release of Information found at www.mecostacounty.org.

Please mail or email your cover letter, resume’, and professional references together with the Application and Authorization to:

Mecosta County Prosecutor’s Office

Attn.  Prosecutor Jonathan Peterson

400 Elm Street

Big Rapids, MI  49307

MecostaProsecutor@mecostacounty.org