ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY

County of Culpeper • County of Culpeper, VA

138d

About The Position

Responsible for performing professional legal work for the Office of the Commonwealth Attorney. Work involves prosecuting persons suspected of violating State and local laws on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Employees in this class prosecute criminal cases in all county courts.

Requirements

• Education and experience equivalent to a Juris Doctorate degree
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Virginia
• Must possess satisfactory results of a criminal history background check
• Comprehensive knowledge of Virginia criminal and traffic laws, Virginia criminal procedures, Virginia and Federal constitutional issues, as well as local rules of court and trial practice
• Ability to perform intricate and rapid legal research, and to prepare legal briefs to trial and appellate courts
• Ability to communicate effectively with law enforcement personnel, expert witnesses, lay witnesses, and victim witnesses
• Ability to prepare and present complex cases before a trial court in a short period of time
• Ability to manage a large caseload
• Knowledge of computerized word processing, email communications and electronic cases

Responsibilities

• Prepares and prosecutes misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in The Juvenile and Domestic Relations, General District and/or Circuit Courts
• Screens cases for prosecution; determines proper charges
• Performs legal research
• Locates witnesses
• Prepares case documents
• Presents cases in court
• Negotiates with defense attorneys
• Attends/participates in arraignments of defendants in criminal cases
• Investigates terms and conditions of bond
• Works with Crime Victims Advocate
• Prepares legal briefs/petitions to the Appellate Court
• Keeps abreast of appellate court opinions and understands their application to similar cases
• Responds to customer requests and inquiries
• Maintains current knowledge of trends, legal issues and rulings, court opinions, legal procedures, new state, and local laws

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: No Education Listed