Staff Attorney

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Staff Attorney to prosecute Magistrate Court offenses. 

Under limited supervision of General Counsel, the Staff Attorney will be responsible for prosecuting all Magistrate level offenses; negotiating cases and plea agreements; conducting bench and jury trials; presenting motions, pleadings, and arguments in court; and interviewing witnesses, police officers, victims, and others. Deals courteously and effectively with fellow employees and citizens.

• Review and prepare for prosecution, all Magistrate level arrests cited by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Deputies
• Meet with officers monthly to review cases
• Train and teach Beaufort County Sheriff’s Deputies regarding case preparation, testimony and general court procedures
• Interview victims and witnesses involved in magistrate level arrests
• Conduct pre-trial conferences with officers and Defense Attorneys
• Negotiate plea agreements
• Prosecute bench and jury trials
• Maintain a calendar of pre-trial conferences with charging deputies
• Track and maintain statistics on the conviction rate
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Training and Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school
• Candidates must be admitted to practice law in South Carolina (member of South Carolina Bar)
• Have met 403 requirements
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for South Carolina with safe driving record
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State laws, and City ordinances
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and the rules of evidence, principles, methods of legal research
• Skills to draft legal documents, prepare, present and argue cases effectively in court
• Skill in using mainframe systems and personal computers including Word and Excel
• Skill in excellent communication, both oral and written
• Skill in the operation of all basic office equipment
• Ability to exercise discretion and judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines (or laws/statute)
• Ability to multi-task and work independently.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in performing duties and protects operations by keeping information confidential

How to Apply

Applicants can easily complete the online application HERE. Once you have completed your application, a member of the Recruitment and Staffing Office will contact you and ask you to provide copies of the following items as part of your application package:

• Birth Certificate (Proof of U.S. Citizenship if not born in the United States)
• High School or GED and College Diplomas
• Driver’s License
• Social Security Card
• Court-issued legal documentation supporting any legal name change (i.e., marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.)
• If you have prior military service, a copy of your DD214 with your separation code and the type of discharge you received.
• A certified driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles from all states licensed over the past six years.
• If you are a former law enforcement officer, provide all training certificates.

Applicant Documents

• Personal Inquiry Waiver (must be notarized)
• Hiring Board Questionnaire (completed and submitted online)

The documents can be submitted any of the following ways:

• E-mail
• United States Postal Service
• Drop off in person to the Sheriff’s Office located at 2001 Duke Street in Beaufort, South Carolina

NOTE: The Recruitment Office offers free Notary services. If the applicant would like to use this service, the applicant may bring the completed form to the Recruitment Office located at 2001 Duke Street in Beaufort, South Carolina.