Job summary
Deputy/Senior Deputy State's Attorney positionLocated in historic downtown Sioux FallsIntegral part of the criminal justice system
Job seniority: mid-to-senior level
Responsibilities
• Prepare and manage a caseload of predominantly misdemeanor cases, low-level felonies, juvenile violation cases, and juvenile abuse and neglect cases• Present cases for legal proceedings• Perform legal research• Prepare, draft, and file legal documents and correspondence• Review offenses, police reports, and evidence to make determination on charges• Prepare, send, and track subpoenas for witnesses and records• Prepare and interview witnesses for legal proceedings• Select jurors• Stay informed on changes in relevant law and statutes and proposed legislation and policy pertaining to criminal law, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile abuse and neglect• Draft proposed legislation• Appear before legislative committees• Communicate, correspond, and collaborate with parties involved in cases• Respond to inquiries from the public and the media• Make recommendations for custody, parental rights, sentences, and restitution• Represent the State's Attorney's Office at public, private, and inter-governmental programs and events• Communicate with the media and prepare press releases• Serve on boards, panels, and task forces• Train and educate volunteers, law enforcement, and social workers• Train interns• Supervise clerical staff and interns• Answer, handle, or direct phone calls and walk-in traffic from clients and the general public regarding legal concerns and questions
Requirements
• Graduation from a college of law• Attainment of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school• Admission by the Supreme Court of South Dakota to practice law in the state of South Dakota; or be licensed to practice law in any other state and able to take the next available South Dakota bar examination; or be a recent or imminent law school graduate, eligible to sit for the next available South Dakota bar examination• Comparable combination of education and experience may be considered• Must successfully complete pre-employment background process• Working knowledge of civil and criminal law and methods and practices of pleadings, court procedures, and rules of evidence• Working knowledge of principles, methods, materials, and practices utilized in legal research• Working knowledge of general law and established precedents• Ability to prosecute cases• Ability to speak and write effectively in the preparation and presentation of legal matters• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships• Ability to maintain professional appearance and demeanor• Strong oral argument skills• Minimum of two years of relevant work experience for Senior Deputy State's Attorney position
