Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

About the position

Under limited supervision, performs professional legal work prosecuting criminal suspects on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Work involves performing legal research in the preparation of criminal trials; prosecuting jury and non-jury trials in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases including trial of drug cases and/or negotiating settlements; and preparing Appellate Court and other legal briefs, as necessary. Employee is also responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to public officials, law enforcement officials, victims of crime, and the general public. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in determining the proper course of action in a variety of legal cases and situations. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy, and discretion in frequent contact with crime victims, suspects, law enforcement and judicial officials, public officials, and the general public. Reports to the Commonwealth's Attorney. This position is essential. Personnel occupying this position may be scheduled to work irrespective of weather conditions and/or when general County offices are closed.

Responsibilities

• Prepares misdemeanor and felony criminal cases for trial, interviewing witnesses, negotiating with defense attorneys, conferring with law enforcement and judicial personnel, locating witnesses and defendants, interviewing victims and witnesses, performing legal research, conferring with victims and their families, investigating incidents, and visiting crime scenes.
• Presents cases in court and makes motions and recommendations to the court; questions witnesses and defendants.
• Performs case management functions, such as screening cases for prosecution, determining proper charges to be filed, preparing case documents, and preparing orders; negotiates settlements or plea bargains, evaluates cases for treatment dockets as appropriate.
• Performs legal research and prepares memorandums of law pertaining to assigned criminal cases.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to public officials, law enforcement officials, and the general public; informs law enforcement of new rulings.
• Prepares legal briefs and agreements for presentation to the Appellate Court as necessary.
• Assists victims of crime in seeking compensation from state funds for injuries/damages and informs victims of other services available to them.
• Studies legal periodicals and new appellate rulings to keep abreast of developments in the field; attends courses to meet continuing legal education requirements.
• Lectures to local law enforcement academy and at legal conferences and/or trainings.
• Makes presentations to schools and civic groups; communicates with the news media.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree and one (1) to five (5) years of experience in the practice of criminal law, including courtroom trial experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
• Knowledge of the proceedings, practices, policies, rules, and regulations of the practice of criminal law and trial preparation.
• Knowledge of all Commonwealth and local laws, codes, and ordinances pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, and is able to perform comprehensive legal research.
• Knowledge of the structure and operation of the judicial system.
• Knowledge of statutory provisions applying to rules of order.
• Knowledge of judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of criminal law, including court decisions and pertinent legislation.
• Knowledge of the use of the National Crime Information Center computer system.
• Skill in legal writing.
• Skill in oratory.
• Ability to effectively interview criminal suspects, crime victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.
• Ability to use common office machinery.
• Familiarity with common office software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, Westlaw, etc.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions, and to use legal source material in technical research.
• Ability to prepare and maintain complex legal records.
• Ability to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in all phases of work.
• Ability to exercise tact, courtesy, firmness, and discretion in frequent contact with criminal suspects, crime victims, court and law enforcement officials, and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information.
• Ability to read a variety of informational documents, appellate reports, periodicals, codes, manuals, reports, and various court reports and records.
• Ability to prepare legal briefs, memoranda, exhibits, guidelines, notes, correspondence, plea agreements, jury instructions, etc.
• Ability to understand the meaning, relationships, and principles of symbols, formulas, and concepts.
• Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; and determine percentages and decimals.
• Ability to communicate professionally and respectfully.