ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY

Starting Salary: $75,000

Did you go to law school to make a difference? Do you desire to be a part of history in the making? Then our office is for you. The State Attorney’s Office for the 17th Judicial Circuit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is at the forefront of making sensible reforms to our criminal justice system. The mandate for our prosecutors is not to win at all costs, but to seek justice by standing up for what is right. We seek prosecutors who are dedicated to serving the people of Broward County and making our community safer and better for all who live, work and play here. Whether your goal is to become a career prosecutor or to gain valuable litigation skills that can translate to other areas of practice, a career with the State Attorney’s Office for the 17th Judicial Circuit will provide the necessary foundation for a rewarding legal career.

This position is open to entry level and experienced attorneys.

Applicants must be a graduating 3L or a member in good standing with The Florida Bar. Applicants must possess a strong interest in being a trial lawyer and have excellent communication and critical thinking skills. Applicants must have the time management and organizational skills required to manage a large volume caseload. Applicants must be able to work independently and as a team member.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal but are not limited for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Conduct jury trials, non-jury trials, preliminary and pretrial hearings, and other related courtroom proceedings
• Investigate, evaluate, and prepare cases for trial
• Legal research and writing
• Communicate with and serve as a liaison to victims, their family members, witnesses, and law enforcement personnel
• All other case-related tasks as needed

To apply:

Please fill out and submit the application form.

VICTIM ADVOCATE/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SPECIALIST

The Victim Advocate/Domestic Violence Specialist is responsible for providing information, counseling, supportive and resource/referral services to victims of crime. The purpose of this position is to function in the area of advocacy for victims of crimes. Employees in this classification provide specialized assistance to victims of crime through coordinating intervention actions, providing support counseling, conducting case management, disseminating criminal justice information, and facilitating the use of resources and community services.

To be successful in this position, you must have a non-judgmental attitude, which means:

• Ability to establish empathetic relationship with clients
• Ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work well independently and as a team member

To be successful in this role, you will be responsible for multiple duties. Some of these responsibilities include:

• Maintain current knowledge of domestic violence issues including, but not limited to:
  1. The dynamics of abusive relationships
  2. The cycle of violence
  3. Victims’ rights, domestic and sexual violence and elderly abuse laws
  4. The criminal justice process
• Contact victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and/or elderly abuse to advise them of the first appearance hearings and outcomes (magistrate court) of their perpetrators, and to advise them of their rights, and available resources. Collect additional contact information for future interaction.
• Provide courtroom orientation and accompaniment services to victims attending first appearance (magistrate court), division court, and restraining order hearings.
• Assist victims to understand pro-arrest and pro-prosecution policies.
• Contact victims after magistrate hearings to advise them of the outcome of these hearings
• Conduct lethality assessments and assist crime victims in formulating viable safety plans.
• Refer crime victims to appropriate community resources.
• Assist victims in making application for Crime Victim Compensation where appropriate.
• Educate victims about domestic and/or sexual violence and/or elderly abuse.
• Act as a liaison between victims and attorneys, service providers or other involved agencies.
• Document contacts and maintain daily statistics.
• Facilitate Domestic Violence OPTIONS Groups regarding Waiver of Prosecution Process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in social services, psychology, criminal justice, or related field, supplemented by up to one year of previous experience that provides broad knowledge of social service agencies and community resource referral entities, as well as accepted counseling principles and practices, an equivalent combination of education, training, an experience.

To apply:

Please fill out and submit the application form.

MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST I 

The Digital Evidence Unit (DEU) is responsible for processing high volumes of incoming body camera videos from law enforcement agencies. The Prosecution Support Specialist works with the DEU team to receive, categorize, and disseminate all digital evidence for use in prosecuting criminal cases in Broward County. They also support assistant state attorneys and staff by performing a variety of in-court multimedia tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receive, categorize, and disseminate digital evidence for criminal cases
• Provide technical support and process daily, urgent requests from assistant state attorneys, support staff, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, and judicial assistants
• Request digital evidence from law enforcement agencies (911 calls, CAD reports, dashcam videos, photos, etc.)
• Upload and share third party videos into Evidence.com
• Assist victims/witnesses to enable sharing of digital evidence via Axon citizen links (ring videos, home surveillance systems, cell phone photo/video recordings)
• Coordinate with law enforcement agencies to troubleshoot issues and devise solutions to common problems in order to ensure seamless evidence flow
• Receive, process, and route case filing packets to the appropriate filing/trial units and update case information in the digital evidence management system
• Edit/print large-format photographs
• Convert and redact video and audio files to ensure easy use in courtroom presentations
• Set up equipment and provide technical support for video/audio presentations in conference rooms and during courtroom proceedings
• Record statements in court and conference rooms
• Provide routine training to assistant state attorneys and support staff

Qualifications:

• Minimum two years of experience in digital evidence or an equivalent combination of experience
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Experience working with graphic design, photo correction, and video editing software
• Strong skills in Adobe Premium Pro, Adobe Audition, Adobe Acrobat, and Adobe Photoshop
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office suite
• Strong skills in Sound Forge, Snagit, and Hand Break
• Strong knowledge of DSLR and video camera functionality
• Familiar with MS software applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

To apply:

Please fill out and submit the application form.

LEGAL ASSISTANT (ENTRY LEVEL)

An employee in this position is responsible for performing a variety of administrative duties in assisting assistant state attorneys with case preparation. Duties involve the performance of administrative and clerical tasks related to criminal court proceedings; setting up and maintaining the attorneys’ calendars; answering calls and reading mail; transcribing; scanning; providing information to the general public; data input; and preparing appropriate legal documents and correspondence..

Duties and responsibilities:

• Dependable and routine in-office attendance during regularly scheduled business hours.
• Ability to focus and pay attention to detail.
• Efficient keyboard skills.
• Effective and efficient communication skills and ability to interact professionally with other employees, members of the public, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to operate the telephone system and respond to calls promptly and professionally.
• Review and promptly respond to all electronic messaging.
• Perform quality work within deadlines.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office machinery.
• Ability to follow rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Work effectively as a team contributor as well as independently.
• Comply with all public records statutes and policies.

Examples of work performed:

• Prepare legal documents.
• Responsible for all administrative activities, as required.
• Coordinate meetings, depositions, and/or court appearances including space, time, place and notify all participants.
• Assist victims and witnesses, as needed.
• Maintain calendars.
• Arrange travel itineraries, hotel accommodations, and reimbursement forms.
• Research and prepare reports, as necessary.
• Receive, scan and distribute incoming mail.
• Receive and process law enforcement electronic media.
• Assist in the processing and maintenance of all electronic media including e-filings, evidence, and media.
• Update case management system and assist with data collection and reports.
• Generate subpoenas and update case management system from returns.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with attorneys, court personnel, victims, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, and other parties relevant to assigned cases verbally and in written form.
• Maintain and file all records and reports on case activity and prepare any necessary statistical reports.
• Secure supplemental case information.
• Bilingual employees will assist in translations and interpretation, when needed.
• Supervise and/or train staff, as needed. Transcribe dictation, as needed.
• Notarize documents, as needed.

To apply:

Please fill out and submit the application form.

The State Attorney’s Office for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA).

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Persons needing special accommodation to complete and submit a state application to this agency should contact Human Resources at the above number or call 1-800-955-8770 (via Florida Relay Service) or call 1-800-955-8771 (for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services).