Criminal Attorney III

The City of Boise is looking for dedicated, talented professionals who share our vision of building a city for everyone. We value people who are driven to serve our community and embody the principles that guide our work every day.

As an Attorney III, you’ll play a key leadership role by supervising junior attorneys and contributing to important court and criminal justice system improvement initiatives. You’ll work with general direction, using your expertise to support meaningful progress and uphold the City’s mission.
This position is designated as At-Will.

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and 
• 4 years of experience in civil or criminal litigation, or municipal governance.

Licensing And Other Requirements

• Must be a licensed and active member in good standing with the Idaho State Bar.
• Valid state-issued driver’s license

Special Requirements
Applicants must be able to pass:

• City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
• Driving Record Check
• Education Verification
• Criminal Justice Information System background check (CJIS)
• Hybrid Work Eligible

Performs all duties of an Attorney I and II – Criminal, in addition to providing mentoring and team coordination; performs more complex, skilled tasks, and assists others as required. 

Handles criminal cases in court; represents the City of Boise at all levels of the criminal process, including arraignments, pre-trial conferences, motion hearings, bench and jury trials, post-sentencing hearings and appeals. 

Screens incoming cases, manages discovery and appellate work and works with victims. Handles a significant number of misdemeanor criminal and civil infraction cases, sometimes including complex cases and/or conflicting juvenile or felony cases. 

Prepares motions, memoranda, affidavits and files for court proceedings. Reviews criminal case files. Conducts a criminal background check for each defendant. Reviews defendant’s driver’s license status when necessary. Evaluates strengths and weaknesses of each case and argues before the court. Develops an offer of settlement and negotiates a resolution when possible. Communicates with pro se defendants, defense attorneys, victims, victim witness coordinators, witnesses, police officers, judges and clerks in a timely manner. 

Prepares unresolved cases for trial. Uses and updates the office’s internal case management system. Assigns tasks to support staff and successive attorneys as part of case preparation. Prepares witnesses for trial, handles all hearings facing a criminal matter, and conducts trials with other attorneys. Researches and writes memoranda and briefs on various criminal issues. Responds to various defense motions, such as motions to suppress or motions to dismiss, and files preemptive motions on behalf of the city. 

Responds to inquiries from the general public as well as stakeholders in the criminal justice system. 

Leads other attorneys in special projects or assignments, such as attorney training. Participates in improvement initiatives as assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.Additional Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Knowledge of: 

• principles of civil and criminal law, court rules, trial procedure, rules of evidence, rules of professional conduct and legal ethics; 
• computer usage including related software.

Ability to: 

• operate a computer with demonstrated proficiency using contemporary databases, word processing and spreadsheets software applications;
• communicate proficiently verbally and in writing to respond to complex cases in state court and to write briefs and other complex legal documents;
• review, proof and critique the legal research and opinions of others; 
• represent the city before outside agencies, communities and elected and/or appointed officials; 
• advocate for cases; 
• communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; 
• perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.

Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• 7 or more years of specialized knowledge and experience in criminal law
• Experience leading or supervising lower level employees, working with and advising interdisciplinary work groups and/or participation on a project management or implementation team.

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Efforts
Also, the employee is frequently pushing/pulling up to 10 pounds and occasionally pushing/pulling up to 20 pounds. The noise level is frequently moderate. Work includes sensory ability to talk and hear. Work in this position also includes close vision. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.

Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position.
This position works: outside of, or extends beyond, a typical 8am to 5pm M-F work week, as required.