DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

Okanogan County Position Description

TITLE: DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

Summary

Carry out broad based criminal legal assignments under the direction of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Primarily handle Appeals, resulting from Superior Court adult Felony cases.

Scope of Responsibility

The Deputy Prosecutor is expected to manage a high-volume adult felony appeals in an organized and
efficient manner. Exercise independent judgement within a latitude set by the Prosecuting Attorney.
This position performs highly complex legal work representing the State of Washington in the
prosecution of criminal offenses at the Superior Court, Juvenile Court, and Appellate Court levels. The
Deputy Prosecutor may also be responsible for assisting with resolving day to day issues with law
enforcement and defense attorneys, communicating with the public, and contributing to community
and law enforcement presentations. Duties are performed with professional discretion and within
office policies, professional ethics and standards and legal requirements.

Typical Duties

Manage a high number of appeals cases with the Court of Appeals Division III, Washington State
Supreme Court, and other appeal matters as assigned by the Okanogan County Prosecuting Attorney.

Consult with law enforcement regarding their investigations when requested and advise law
enforcement about legal issues related to the criminal cases.

Review reports for legal sufficiency and determine appropriate charges to be filed, if any, and
determine whether to refer cases back to law enforcement for further investigation.

Draft legal pleadings that are detailed, accurate, and professional including Informations and/or
Criminal Complaints, Jury Instructions, Trial Briefs, Motions in Limine, Probable Cause statements,
appeal briefs, etc.

Identify witnesses and evidence in each case and contact/interview victims and witnesses before
trials; work with legal assistants and victim witness personnel to provide complete discovery to
defense.

Prepare pre-trial motions and perform necessary legal research for drafting pre-trial, trial, and post
trial memoranda and briefs for the court.

Respond to defense motions with legal research and argument.

Perform as a trial litigator, including being able to:

Consult with victims regarding their input into plea bargaining decisions or sentencing in cooperation
with victim/witness personnel.

Correctly apply the various rules of the sentencing reform act to determine the presumptive range for
criminal offenses, and take steps to ensure that adequate documentation of criminal history is
available.

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Okanogan County Position Description

Make appropriate recommendations for sentencing and be able to defend those recommendations in
court.

Present probation violation testimony as needed and argue for the position of the State.

Draft appeals of pre-trial rulings as appropriate.

Respond to defendant’s appeals or personal restraint or habeas corpus petitions, performing all
necessary legal research and writing of legal briefs.

Argue appeals at the Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and/or the Supreme Court.

Negotiates cases with other parties and attorneys through written, in person, telephonic, and e-mail
means.

Prepare cases for trial. Assure thorough investigation and organization of facts and information.
Handle pretrial hearings such as arraignments, motions to suppress, competency and related
matters, as applicable; coordinate with law enforcement agencies as required.

Present and conduct courtroom proceedings necessary to effectively try or defend assigned cases.
Determine strategy including organization, timing and order of evidence presentation, appearance
of witnesses and related factors. Assure Prosecuting Attorney is informed of case progress and
direction.

Plan, organize, evaluate and direct the work activities of employees of lower
classification.

Advise law enforcement after hours in regard to arrests, searches, warrants, etc.

Assure the accuracy of work performed in assigned sections of the department by monitoring the
work of personnel in their various areas of responsibility.

Assure the prompt investigation of citizen questions and/ or complaints regarding the various
functions of the department. Personally, initiate actions to resolve complex problems.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal
functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of
responsibility, but should not be considered an all- inclusive listing of work requirements.
Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover
absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

Qualifications

Requires graduation from law school, and a valid license to practice law in the State of Washington.
Requires a thorough knowledge of criminal law and related Washington statutes and cases. Requires
the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Requires the ability to establish
and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, officials and employees of other
departments and agencies and the general public.

Special Requirements

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Okanogan County Position Description

Possession of valid Washington State Driver's license. Ability to satisfactorily pass a comprehensive, in-
depth background investigation which shows no criminal activity which could directly impact ability to
perform the job.

Individuals assigned to this classification work in the capacity of an " at- will" employee and may be
terminated without or without cause, at the discretion of the County Prosecutor.

Physical Demands and Environment

The working environment for Deputy Prosecuting Attorney is primarily in an office setting; The duties
require sitting, standing, walking on all types of terrain, maintaining balance, climbing stairs and
inclines, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, twisting, requires a sense of
touch, finger dexterity, ability to grip with fingers and hands, and occasionally lift and carry up to 30
pounds. Requires working alone; ability to operate a passenger vehicle, ability to hear voice
conversations; far, side, color vision with depth perception. Requires wearing rubber or plastic gloves.

Effective Date: EEO Code: Department: Prosecutor’s Office

Dates Amended: 10/19/2021 Union: Division: None

FLSA Exempt: No Grade: Pos #:

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