Description

Position Description
Civil Department:  The Civil Department of the State’s Attorney’s Office is divided into the Civil, Juvenile, and Abuse and Neglect divisions.

Position Objective:  The role of a deputy state’s attorney working in the Civil Department varies depending upon the division(s) an attorney is assigned to as noted below.  The duties of a deputy state’s attorney in the Civil Department are directly related to the general operations of the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
This position’s duties are directly related to the management and general operations of the Pennington County State’s Attorney office.

Essential Functions:
Civil Division:

• Conduct legal research and writing.
• Attend county government meetings, court, and administrative proceedings, and provide legal representation to the County Commission, Planning
• Commission, and the appointed and elected officials who manage and operate the various offices and departments within Pennington County Government. 
• Prepare witnesses and present evidence at all required administrative hearings, court hearings, and trials.
• Communicate with citizens and other interested parties on matters relevant to county government functions.
• Work and consult with federal, state, local and tribal agencies on matters involving county business.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with all county policies and procedures.

Juvenile Division:

• Review law enforcement reports.
• Make charging decisions. 
• Represent the State of South Dakota and present evidence at all required hearings and trials before the Court involving juvenile offenders.  
• Conduct legal research and writing.  
• Abide by all victims’ rights and assist victims through the Juvenile Justice System.  
• Meet with victims and other witnesses throughout the prosecution of cases.
• Prepare law enforcement officers, witnesses, and victims for courtroom testimony.
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, Juvenile Services Center, Department of Corrections and Court Services. 
• Work cooperatively with the Juvenile Diversion Program of the State’s Attorney’s Office.  

Abuse and Neglect Division:

• Review law enforcement reports.
• Make charging decisions. 
• Represent the State of South Dakota and present evidence at all required hearings and trials before the Court involving abuse and neglect proceedings.  
• Conduct legal research and writing.  
• Abide by all victims’ rights and assist victims through the judicial system.  
• Meet with victims and other witnesses throughout the prosecution of cases.
• Prepare law enforcement officers, witnesses, and victims for courtroom testimony.
• Represents the Department of Social Services in all stages of litigation in civil proceedings against parents and guardians accused of abusing or neglecting their children.  
• Work cooperatively with the Department of Social Services, tribal representatives, children’s counsel, CASA, and others involved in abuse and neglect proceedings.