Deputy District Attorney I

County of Santa Barbara•Santa Barbara, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office currently has multiple Deputy District Attorney I vacancies located throughout the County of Santa Barbara. We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Work locations are assigned by the District Attorney and subject to change based on workload demands. The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime. The District Attorney has offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The Office embodies a team approach to fighting crime, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case. The Office is also dedicated to ongoing training and skill development, as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including gangs, vulnerable victims, and white collar crime. In addition, specialty courts such as DUI Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, Restorative Justice Court, and Veterans' Treatment Court allow for collaboration between Deputy District Attorneys and other Court staff in an effort to improve the success rate of rehabilitation for criminal defendants in addition to reducing crime.

Requirements

Active membership in the State Bar of California and completion of the core courses required for a law degree. Applicants who have taken the State Bar exam and are pending results may apply and participate in the selection process but must obtain an active membership in the State Bar of California at the time of appointment.
Knowledge of the principles of criminal and civil law and its application; legal research methods; rules of evidence; organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence.
Ability to perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents in legal problems; present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form; work effectively with others.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within the criminal justice system
Intern or extern experience in a public sector agency preferably in criminal prosecution
Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines.

Responsibilities

Interviews and advises victims and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions; studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and legal authorities for use in prosecuting cases;
Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, motions, discovery, and judgments;
Prosecutes a variety of cases, including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic trials and presentation of preliminary hearings;
Performs related work such as preparing petitions, complaints, reports, and correspondence;
Actively seeks continuing legal education and training, which may include reading, research, observing and seeking counsel from peer attorneys, and attending trainings; perform community outreach, which may include training law enforcement personnel and performing outreach at schools or community organizations that focus on public safety or justice.