Trial Assistant

Portland, ME
Full Time
District Attorney
Entry Level

JOB PURPOSE:  The purpose of the Trial Assistant position is to assist the Team by providing administrative support for Assistant District Attorneys.  Receives and records new cases from Police Departments in the appropriate manner.   Processes and tracks assigned caseloads. Maintains accurate data entry and file records until the cases conclusion. Performs all other related work as required.  This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position located at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland, Maine. The salary range for this position starts at $20.98 per hour.  Higher starting pay available, contingent upon qualifications and experience.  Please note, applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

QUALIFICATIONS:  High School diploma required. Minimum of one to two years of related work experience, preferably in a law environment. Must be a team player with a positive attitude. Knowledge of how the Maine court system operates and familiarity with legal terms required. Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and handle details with precision and accuracy in a very fast paced office environment.  Must be able to handle the more difficult customer service requests. Ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and be compassionate with people of all degrees of life. Must work with and handle confidential information following department procedures. Proficiency of computer operations to include report generation, internet and email; word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications. Skill with Justware preferred. Associate’s Degree in legal administration or business preferred. Notary Public helpful. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Logs all referred criminal cases for assigned police department, filing charging documents with the court, making copies of the report and complaint for discovery and for the office file.
  • Maintains assigned case files neatly and accurately in both the physical and computerized files in the database.
  • Ensures accurate records by making sure that files completely reflect dispositions, continuance dates and/or reasons for continuances.
  • Assist victims and witnesses by maintaining contact, by preparing correspondence to them and providing them with information and assistance throughout the duration of any given case. This includes; notification of hearings, discussing restitution, explaining plea negotiations, Assistant District Attorney recommendations, and informing them of sentencing dates and accompanying distraught victims to court.
  • Assist Assistant District Attorneys by helping them prepare for court, including setting up audio/video equipment in the courtroom for trials and motions as needed, being in court to provide clerical and administrative support services, and ensuring department’s ability to produce witnesses.
  • Ensures all information drop downs and motions are prepared by typing same and getting them docketed by the court.
  • Maintains the in-custody lists from the jail, including pulling the pending files for court and record keeping and/or process emergency in-custody cases.
  • Prepares all court docket lists and gathering all case files and ensuring that the files are complete and in order for the court appearance.
  • Prepares discovery in all criminal cases, which includes copying of police reports, DVD/CD’s, photographs and any materials that are discoverable under the Maine Rules of the court. 
  • Maintains accurate records by retrieving and processing and filing mail, criminal history reports, Department of Motor Vehicle paperwork, Public Health Laboratory, alcohol and drug analysis results on a daily basis.
  • Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
  • Handles work in a confidential and sensitive manner when dealing with defendants, victims, and cases.
  • Handles all incoming mail in a timely and sensitive manner. 
  • Fulfills job function by participating as an active member of training; participating on county task forces and performing other responsibilities as assigned.  Keeps abreast of the latest technology, procedures, methods, systems, and materials employed in the industry. Acts as backup for co-workers and receptionists as deemed necessary.
  • Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Cumberland County offers an excellent and comprehensive benefits package and is proud of its talented and dedicated workforce.  Come join our team and culture of engaged employees.  Our strong management team is dedicated to providing employees with inspiring leadership, a positive and friendly workplace, support, encouragement and the necessary tools for success.  We offer tuition reimbursement, wellness program, and professional development and training opportunities.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position located at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland, Maine. The salary range for this position starts at $20.98 per hour.  Higher starting pay available, contingent upon qualifications and experience.

Cumberland County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.

Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status



Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*