IV - Appeals

Arapahoe County•Greenwood Village, CO

6d•$84,565 - $179,796•Hybrid

About The Position

The Deputy District Attorney – Appeals handles post-trial motions and appeals from County Court to District Court (including domestic violence cases) as well as in the Colorado Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Also performs the following: Researches and writes legal briefs in misdemeanor appeals in the District Court, driver's license revocation appeals in the District Court, prosecution-initiated felony appears in the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court, and certioriari appeals and C.A.R. 21 appeals in the Colorado Supreme Court. Conducts appellate oral arguments. Provides legal support to trial deputies, including research, motion analysis, and assistance with extraditions, sealing petitions, criminal justice records requests, and related matters.

Requirements

Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.
Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado.
3 + years litigation experience or 1 year County Court (misdemeanor) Deputy DA experience (for Deputy DA I).
5+ years litigation experience (for Deputy DA II).
8+ years litigation experience (for Deputy DA III).
12+ years litigation experience (for Deputy DA IV).
Considerable to extensive knowledge of the rules of criminal procedure and the rules of evidence.
Considerable knowledge of state statutes and general knowledge of substantive case law related to felony offenses.
Ability to effectively apply rules of criminal procedure and evidence in a docket/hearing/preliminary hearing/trial setting 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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Recent writing sample (e.g., motion, brief, petition, etc.) that reflects your own work. If the work was co-authored, please indicate your contribution. Please ensure all confidential or identifying client information is redacted and, if necessary, obtain permission from former employers before submitting.

Responsibilities

Handles post-trial motions and appeals from County Court to District Court, Colorado Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court.
Researches and writes legal briefs in misdemeanor appeals, driver's license revocation appeals, prosecution-initiated felony appeals, and certioriari/C.A.R. 21 appeals.
Conducts appellate oral arguments.
Provides legal support to trial deputies, including research, motion analysis, and assistance with extraditions, sealing petitions, criminal justice records requests, and related matters.
Review and file felony charges, including evaluating evidence, determining appropriate charges, preparing filing documents, providing discovery, and ensuring victim notifications.
Advise and support law enforcement on criminal law issues, warrant requirements, investigative questions, and case development.
Assess defendants and case readiness, including reviewing criminal history, evaluating bond considerations, identifying witnesses, and preparing victims and witnesses for hearings and trial.
Represent the prosecution at hearings, including initial advisements, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, and arraignments; establish probable cause and manage case scheduling.
Manage plea negotiations, prepare plea paperwork, communicate plea offers, and present factual bases for court acceptance.
Litigate felony cases at trial, including voir dire, opening statements, direct/cross examinations, objections, evidentiary presentation, jury instructions, and closing arguments.
Research, draft, and argue motions and legal briefs for both prosecution-initiated and defense-initiated motions.
Provide on-call legal guidance for law enforcement after hours, review and coordinate warrant approvals, and respond to crime scenes when needed.
Prepare case-related correspondence, including exculpatory disclosures and requests for additional investigation.
Participate in training and community outreach, including attending required CLEs, delivering internal trainings, and presenting to schools or community groups.