Traffic Prosecutor

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The Traffic Prosecutor is responsible for the prosecution of all traffic infractions properly brought before the Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency, and is vested with the same power as a district attorney would otherwise have in the prosecution of any traffic infraction which may, pursuant to the jurisdictional provisions of New York State General Municipal Law Section 371, be prosecuted before the Buffalo City Court if the traffic violation occurred in the City of Buffalo.  The Traffic Prosecutor is authorized to negotiate pleas arrangements, including, but not limited to pleas to reduced charges in matters brought before the Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency, which the Executive Director of the Agency subsequently accepts payment upon and enters on behalf of the defendant.  The Traffic Prosecutor is prohibited from appearing in any capacity other than as a traffic prosecutor in any part of the Buffalo City Court on any matter relating to traffic violations and is further prohibited from appearing in any capacity other than as a traffic prosecutor in any other court or administrative tribunal on any matter relating to traffic violations.  The Executive Director contracts with or hires the Traffic Prosecutor, who must be duly admitted to practice law in the State of New York, and gives general supervision to the Traffic Prosecutor as well.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Prosecutes all traffic infractions brought before the Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency, which may or may not include assisting police officers in presenting a case at hearing, personally presenting a case at hearing, arguing motions, presenting opening statements and summations, examining witnesses, examining evidence, preparing appeals and advising the Executive Director of the Agency, as is necessary on  a case specific basis;

• Negotiates plea arrangements in matters brought before the Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency

• Prepares various legal documents, including, but not limited to, plea agreements, as necessary;

• Reviews documents for legal sufficiency in coordination with the Department of Law;

• Conducts legal research of statutes, decisions, opinions and other legal sources as required to fully satisfactorily prosecute matters before the Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency;

• Performs other and above activities as deemed necessary by the Executive Director of the Traffic Violations Agency.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of laws, rules and regulations involving traffic violations;

Good knowledge of laws governing civil and criminal practice and procedures, administrative law and supporting rules, regulations, legal terminology and forms;

Good knowledge of techniques employed in preparing legal memoranda, conducting legal research and analyzing legal problems;

Working knowledge of trial techniques and investigative and interviewing techniques;

Ability to organize large volume of factual and legal data into clear and logical sequences;

Ability to both orally and in written form convince others of the legality of a specific action or point of view;

Ability to establish a working rapport with others both in the legal profession and layman;

Ability to communicate information clearly and succinctly in both oral and written form;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Juris Doctor Degree from a Law School of recognized standing; and

2. Duly admitted to practice law in the State of New York.

SALARY:

$ 73,226