Abbey Rickman

Background

About Abbey Rickman

I have over 15 years experience working in legal settings, such as the Dane County District Attorney's Office, Dane County Circuit Court, Dubuque County District Court, Dubuque County Clerk of Court's Office. I currently work in the Adult Criminal Unit, and previously, I have also worked in Civil to include: Probate,(Estates, Guardianships, Conservatorships), Civil Law, Equity, Child Support, Mental Health/Substance Abuse, Civil Domestics, Paternity, Juvenile CINA and CHIPS, Juvenile Delinquencies, and Adoptions. I am also a Veteran of the United States Air Force. Some examples of my current job duties as a Paralegal in the Adult Criminal Unit are as follows: • Provide paralegal assistance to attorneys in the preparation and handling of criminal cases for resolution or trial by conducting research and gathering evidence, organizing and evaluating that information, recommending courses of action and preparing legal documents as necessary for legal actions. • Draft criminal complaints as well as other pleadings and correspondence related to criminal cases. • Research case law and code sections. • Evaluate and monitor case status and ensure appropriate action is taken to comply with strict statutory deadlines. • Confer with attorneys, police departments, and defense/defendants regarding all aspects of criminal cases. • Work with Forensic Nurse team at hospitals to obtain and decipher Forensic Exams for victims/patients. • Perform legal research and analyze criminal history backgrounds. • Monitor court notices and subpoenas/witnesses for hearings. • Obtain necessary court documents. • Organize hard copy and electronic files in criminal cases for contested hearings and trials. • Update information and documents in the District Attorney’s case management system, PROTECT. • Obtain discovery such as 911 call recordings, squad video, body cam footage, photos, medical records, and other discovery for trial preparation. • Work with law enforcement for case follow up and anything else requested by attorneys. • Assist attorneys in coordination of status conferences and preliminary hearings. • Attend trial prep, trial meetings, and court sessions. • Double check charging and review police reports of crimes committed. • Request discovery and make copies of CDs and DVDs as per request. • Assist other paralegals in their caseload or other things they may need. • Attend routine trainings. • Work with confidential and sensitive information on a daily basis. • Assist in training and monitoring the work of others.