Legal Assistant I-III (Paralegal) Forfeiture Unit/Criminal Division

Introduction

Delaware''s Attorney General, the State''s chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State.

In meeting this mission, Attorney General Kathy Jennings is supported by teams of talented lawyers and staff in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Fraud and Consumer Protection, and Civil Rights and Public Trust Divisions. Each of the more than 500 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are dedicated to serving all Delawareans with integrity and passion.

Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal special investigators, victim service specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff, prosecute criminal cases, enforce consumer laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public''s access to open government, protect the abused, and much more.

Summary Statement

The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking an exceptional and highly motivated individual to join the Forfeiture Unit within the Criminal Division as a Legal Assistant (Paralegal). While the Forfeiture Unit of the Criminal Division has state-wide responsibility, this position will be located in New Castle County. This is a limited-term position with an anticipated duration of two (2) years.

This Legal Assistant will provide support to Deputy Attorneys General in the Forfeiture Unit by reviewing all Title 16 seizures and is responsible for tracking the forfeiture cases and related criminal cases from intake through the final disposition. This Legal Assistant will prepare case files, discovery, motions, pleadings, stipulations, subpoenas, applications, notification of forfeiture letters and mailings, and orders.Â

This Legal Assistant will assist the attorneys when preparing for and attending court hearings and will prepare and maintain court scheduling lists and court dockets and other related duties as may be assigned. In addition, this Legal Assistant shall track all pending forfeiture cases and all related criminal cases and record statistics as required by HB280. This position requires the recording and maintaining of statistics on forfeiture cases. This Legal Assistant shall review various reports as well as other information such as police reports, medical reports, retail, surveillance, computer files/electronic documents, body worn camera and video/audio; summarize pertinent details of the case for Deputy Attorney Generals; follow up as necessary for additional documents; draft answers to litigation complaints and responses to form 30 interrogatories; issue subpoenas to obtain medical, insurance, and employment records; prepare and serve discovery; make required redactions for discovery and case preparation. Additional responsibilities of this role include assisting Deputy Attorneys General with Title 11 seizures and assisting in the SLEAF process.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.Â

• Acts in liaison capacity between superior and various interested parties and judicial and/or court staff, clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, law enforcement agents, elected and/or appointed officials and the public to gather, clarify and provide information regarding case facts and status.Â
• Establishes and maintains case files ensuring that the files contain complete and accurate information essential to each step of the proceedings from pre-hearing and/or pre-trial through trial and sentencing.Â
• Interviews involved parties such as clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, arresting officers, or medical personnel to gather discovery material, evidence for case preparation and to complete various legal and/or court documents.Â
• Reviews various reports as well as other information such as police reports, medical reports, retail, surveillance, computer files/electronic documents, body worn camera and video/audio; summarizes pertinent details of the case for Deputy Attorney Generals; follows up as necessary for additional documents; drafts answers to litigation complaints and responses to form 30 interrogatories; issue subpoenas to obtain medical, insurance, and employment records; serves and prepares discovery; and makes required redactions for discovery and case preparation.Â
• Reviews law sources such as case law, judicial decisions, statute law, codes, regulations, and legal and subject matter articles to ensure issues are properly cited and provides superior with written details of similar cases including findings, judicial decisions, and memorandum/opinions of law.Â
• Prepares legal pleadings, e.g. briefs, motions, indictments, information and appeals.Â
• Provides reports and recommendations for new/revised operating policies/procedures.Â
• Reviews state and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance of legal actions/processes.Â

Job Requirement Series

Job Requirement Series

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant I

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Three years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.

OR

1. Possession of an associate degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.

OR

1. A bachelorâs degree in criminal justice or a related field.

OR

1. Three yearsâ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

2. Three yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

3. Three yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

4. Two yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

5. Two yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant II

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Five years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.

OR

1. Possession of an associate degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.

2. Two years of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

3. Two yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

4. Two yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

5. Two yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

6. Two yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

OR

1. Possession of a bachelorâs degree in criminal justice or a related field.

2. One year of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

3. One year experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

4. One year experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

5. One year experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

6. One year experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

OR

1. Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree.

OR

1. Six yearsâ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

2. Six yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

3. Six yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

4. Five yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

5. Five yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant III

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of an associate degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA approved program OR a Bachelorâs degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.

2. Five yearsâ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

3. Five yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

4. Five yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

5. Five yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

6. Five yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

OR

1. Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree.

2. Three yearsâ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

3. Three yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

4. Three yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

5. Two yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

6. Two yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

Additional Posting Information

• Please be sure to upload a recent copy of your resume, as you complete the application process for this posting.
• This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System. Â
• This is a limited-term position with an anticipated duration of two (2) years.  Continuation beyond the initial term is not guaranteed and will depend upon operational needs and organizational considerations

Conditions of Hire

• Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.Â
• Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• This position is part of a job classification that is represented by an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization), as elected by employees in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapters 13 and 16. While this position is now covered under a bargaining unit, a collective bargaining agreement is currently under negotiation, and terms and conditions of employment may be subject to change upon its ratification.

Benefits

Department of Justice Benefits Include:

• May be eligible Loan forgiveness (State and Federal).
• State of Delaware healthcare plan.
• State of Delaware pension plan.
• Over 4 weeks of vacation per year.
• 3 weeks of paid sick leave per year.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression