Legal Secretary I / Victim Rights Coordinator

Description

The Legal Secretary/Crime Victim Rights Provider within the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office serves as a liaison between a victim of a crime and the judicial system. The selected candidate will educate crime victims on how the criminal justice system works and maintain open communication with the crime victim throughout the judicial process. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are a must in this position. While the ideal candidate will have some knowledge and experience with court procedures, there are opportunities to learn on the job.

If you’re seeking a career working in a fast-paced legal environment, you are encouraged to apply. In addition to a great place to work and grow, Newaygo County offers a generous fringe benefit package which includes retirement and health insurance with no payroll deduction.

Examples of Duties

• Prepares initial victim rights packet following issue of warrant; processes all incoming and outgoing victim correspondence; schedules victim appointments for the prosecutors; notifies victims of scheduled hearing dates, delayed sentences, deferred judgment of guilt, acquittals, dismissals, probation hearings, and changes in court schedules. Speaks with victims on all cases; charged or uncharged.
• Ensures pertinent information is communicated to victims, such as but not limited to, notice of availability of pretrial release, telephone number of sheriff or juvenile facility, and notice of right to contact sheriff or juvenile facility. Provides victims of domestic violence contact information for immediate counseling, housing and transportation assistance.
• Serves as the contact person for victims who have concerns about testifying at any court proceeding. Schedules meeting between the victim and the prosecutor if necessary. Informs victim that address, phone number and personal information are not divulged publicly through the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
• Upon request, provides victims with the defendant’s conviction; the crimes for which the defendant was convicted; their right to make a written or oral impact statement for use in the preparation of a presentence investigation report; address and telephone number of the probation office preparing the presentence investigation report; informs them that any statement of the victim in the report will be made available to the defendant unless exempted from disclosure by the court; their right to make an impact statement at sentencing; and time and place of sentencing.
• Provides instructions to victims for preparing an oral impact statement at the sentencing of the defendant. Advises victims who are physically and emotionally unable to make the oral impact statement that they may designate another person to make the statement on his or her behalf.
• Provides victims, in a timely manner, with a form to complete in order to receive specific notifications when a defendant is sentenced to probation, to a term of imprisonment, or ordered to be placed in a juvenile facility or hospitalized.
• Assists victims with inquiries regarding restitution and direct them to the court for distribution, non-payment, and change of address. May make a referral to the Crime Victim’s Compensation Board for assistance for those individuals eligible to recieve compensation in Michigan.
• Provides timely notice to victims if an appeal has been filed and the final results of the appeal and if the defendant has been sentenced to probation or if probation is terminated earlier than previously ordered. Upon the request of the victim, provides notice of review hearing and their rights to make a statement at the hearing, submit a written statement for use at the hearing, or both.
• Prepares subpoenas for restitution hearings and emails them to the appropriate police agency for service.
• Processes requests for return of property to victims. Consults with the prosecuting attorney and communicates the decision to the victim. If the request is granted, direct the victim to the law enforcement agency that issued the complaint for retrieval of property.
• Serves as the primary legal secretary providing clerical support for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Directs members of the public to the proper departments, and determines entry to the Prosecutor’s Office for attorneys, officers, court personnel, and members of the public. Receives, screens and routes telephone calls, exercising judgment and discretion in the release of information. Opens, date stamps, and distributes incoming mail to the appropriate staff. Informs subpoenaed victims and witnesses of their requirement to be present at scheduled court proceedings.
• Prepares various correspondence, motions, orders, warrants, subpoenas, witness lists, and other legal forms and documents.
• Responds to inquiries from attorneys, parties, victims, witnesses, and others regarding departmental procedures, schedules, case information and other information requested and responds using discretion and legal ethics and office policies as to the release of information.
• Must accurately document all communication and maintain logs to meet requirements of the State guidelines.

Typical Qualifications

Education: High school graduation or equivalent. Prefer advanced coursework in word processing and legal secretarial areas.
Experience: One year of prior secretarial experience, preferably in a legal setting providing a knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures. Requires some knowledge or experience with computer systems.

Supplemental Information

• Must attend mandatory victim rights training annually
• Working knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures
• Demonstrate good interpersonal skills to relate well to persons at all levels of mental competency
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Maintain professional composure during stressful situations occurring as a result of workloads, deadlines and challenging individuals.
• Work independently within established procedures and policies
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
• Work cooperatively with County employees, component units, and local units of government

• 401(a) retirement that includes a 5% employer contribution, 3% employer match, and 3% employee contribution.
• Excellent health insurance package, including a health plan with no payroll deduction.
• Employer paid family life insurance coverage.
• Savings for health costs in retirement.
• Paid time off and vacation bundles, including 40 hours of vacation upon hire.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Longevity and funeral pay.
• Employer paid short and long-term disability.
• Annual pay step increases (based on a market adjustment) beyond the top pay rate that recognize years of service.