Logo
Arapahoe County

Deputy District Attorney III or IV

Arapahoe County, Prosper, Texas, United States, 75078

Save Job

NOTE: The Deputy District Attorney III position may have potential to progress to the Deputy District Attorney IV position. The full salary range for the Deputy District Attorney III is $99,662.42 - $159,200.60. The full salary range for the Deputy District Attorney IV is $109,628.22 to $175,120.14 annually dependent upon qualifications and experience.

The Deputy District Attorney III performs a variety of professional legal and docket management functions to intake and prosecute more complex felony offenses in the 18th Judicial District. The Deputy DA III handles felony docket and is expected to first chair F2s and below, and on occasion, some F1 felonies. May be assigned to the following units: Appeals, District, Domestic Violence, Economic Crimes, Intake, Juvenile Crimes, Organized Crimes, and Special Victims Unit.

The Deputy District Attorney IV performs a variety of professional legal and docket management functions to intake and prosecute the most complex, high level felony offenses in the 18th Judicial District. The Deputy DA IV handles felony docket and is expected to first chair all class 1 felonies. May be assigned to the following units: Appeals, District, Domestic Violence, Economic Crimes, Intake, Juvenile Crimes, Organized Crimes, and Special Victims Unit

Receives and reviews (for trial, case settlement, or dismissal purposes) felony criminal charges submitted by local police agencies; analyzes evidence to determine ability to prove elements of the crime initially charged as well as mitigating factors; determines formal charges and prepares applicable documents required for filing with the court. Ensures that defense attorneys are provided discovery and notifies victim(s) in compliance with victim rights laws. Receives and responds to inquiries from law enforcement on a variety of issues related to the criminal justice system. e.g. search and seizure, statutory elements of crimes, affidavits for search/arrest warrants, etc. Reviews defendant's criminal history and all factors relating to his ties to the community; appears at initial advisement(s) for the filing of charges and/or to advocate the setting of bond and/or to set a date for next hearings; reviews case facts and supporting documentation to determine the witnesses required to be subpoenaed for hearings; meets with victim(s) to discuss plea negotiation considerations and communicates offers to defense attorney; interviews or directs the interviewing of subpoenaed witnesses in preparation for their testimony before hearings and trials; conducts direct and cross-examination of witnesses at all hearings and at trial; at Preliminary hearings, establishes that probable cause exists to believe that the defendant committed the crime(s) charged and that the case should be bound over for trial. Appears at arraignment; sets cases for trial where there is a not guilty plea; prepares plea paperwork for cases in which there is a guilty plea and states factual basis which supports the offense for Court's acceptance of plea offered. Presents and argues the prosecution’s case at trial; interviews witnesses pre-trial; conducts voir dire of jury venire and exercises challenges for cause and preemptory challenges; prepares and presents opening statement to provide finder of fact with overview of case theory and supporting evidence; conducts direct and re-direct examination of prosecution witnesses to introduce physical and testimonial evidence to prove elements of crime(s) charged beyond a reasonable doubt within necessary foundations; offers objections to defense questions and statements to protect witnesses from abuse and/or to prevent introduction of irrelevant or inadmissible evidence; advocates prosecution position in response to defense objections and/or court rulings to preserve an appellate record; conducts cross-examination of defense witnesses to scrutinize and/or impeach their testimony; prepares jury instructions and advocates prosecution position to negotiate final version; prepares and presents closing and rebuttal arguments to review evidence and advocate for conviction. Researches and responds to a wide variety of defense motions, e.g. suppression of statements/evidence, motions in limine, discovery motions, etc. Researches, prepares, and presents motions on behalf of the people, e.g. amend or add charges, 404(b) similar transactions, child hearsay, motions in limine, etc. Researches, prepares, and presents briefs to the Court advocating the People's position regarding legal issues raised during motions practice. Acts in an on-call (after hours and on demand) capacity to respond to law enforcement inquiries regarding search and seizure, probable cause to arrest, non-testimonial identification items, and related legal issues; reviews affidavits for probable cause for arrest and search warrants; contacts on-call judge to arrange time for affiant to sign affidavit in judge's presence. May respond to crime scenes as requested by law enforcement to offer suggestions regarding investigation and preservation of evidence. Prepares limited correspondence as needed, e.g. advising defense of exculpatory evidence, requests to filing detective for further investigation. Attends in-house training meetings; may prepare and present lectures to attorneys on a variety of legal issues related to felony prosecution. Attends annual CDAC conference unless excused to earn required CLE credits. Makes presentations to schools and community groups as requested to explain the functional aspects of the legal system and/or current issues related to felony matters.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

Considerable to extensive knowledge of the rules of criminal procedure and the rules of evidence; ability to effectively apply same in a docket/hearing/preliminary hearing/trial setting related to felony offenses. Considerable knowledge of state statutes and general knowledge of substantive case law related to felony offenses. Ability to advocate and/or present legal/factual scenarios in a clear and persuasive manner to persons of highly varying legal, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds. Ability to effectively process and dispose of felony criminal case filings while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants; ability to assess cases for strengths versus weaknesses and aggravators versus mitigators to determine just and ethical dispositions that are within policies promulgated by the District Attorney. Ability to react quickly and appropriately in court to defense objections, oral motions, court inquiries and rulings, and presentations/responses from defense attorneys and witnesses. Ability to write in a succinct and well-reasoned manner. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, defense attorneys, victims, judges, court staff, police officers, witnesses, related agencies' personnel, and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG): Accountability Accessibility Inclusivity Integrity

Education and Experience:

Deputy District Attorney III:

Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. 8+ years litigation experience Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado Deputy District Attorney IV:

Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. 12+ years litigation experience Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check. Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment. Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is split between a standard office environment, attending court, responding to crime scenes, and meetings inside and outside of the office with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses in various settings. Remote work may be permitted as provided by Office policies. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either standing or walking. Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 30 lbs. Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 30 lbs. Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties. Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions. Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment. Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment. Visits to crime scenes may involve exposure to hazardous environments or extreme heat/cold. Observation of autopsies may involve the wearing of PPE.

Definitions: Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time. Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time. Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time. #J-18808-Ljbffr