Temporary Deputy District Attorney - County Court

Arapahoe County • Greenwood Village, CO

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About The Position

The Temporary Deputy District Attorney – County Court is an entry point to a prosecutorial career with the 18th Judicial District. In county court, the attorney prosecutes misdemeanor offenses, including assaults, domestic violence, DUIs, and sex offenses. With experience and courtroom skills, Deputy District Attorneys may have opportunities to advance to district court and handle felony cases of all levels.

This position manages traffic and misdemeanor cases from initial and ongoing review through disposition or trial. Work includes following up with law enforcement, negotiating with defense counsel, meeting with victims and witnesses, and preparing and conducting motions and trials.

The role requires the ability to learn and apply relevant statutes, ordinances, constitutional and substantive case law, criminal procedure, professional conduct, evidence rules, and victim-rights law. The attorney must assess cases, advocate clearly in court, process a high volume of filings while pursuing equal justice, and respond appropriately to courtroom developments. The position involves work in an office, at court, at crime scenes, and in meetings with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses. Remote work may be permitted under Office policies.

Applicants must have graduated from law school under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. No prior experience is required. Applicants must be licensed or eligible for licensure to practice law in Colorado and have a valid driver’s license; applicants licensed in other states or planning to take the Colorado Bar Exam may also be considered under the stated conditions. Employment requires satisfactory pre-employment testing, an acceptable motor vehicle record and background check, and fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check. A valid Colorado Class R driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment, is required.

For candidates applying under C.R.C.P. 203.6 who have not previously participated in the Office’s Student Practice Act program, appointment may be subject to an initial evaluation period of at least 30 days. Continued employment depends on satisfactory performance and demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of the position. The posting describes a temporary hiring process for third-year law students approaching graduation and scheduled to take the Colorado Bar Exam in July. The start date is after the July exam, in August, with the specific date flexible.

Requirements

• Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.
• No experience required.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure to practice law in Colorado. Applicants licensed in other states who are eligible to gain Colorado licensure may apply; strong candidates planning to take the Colorado Bar Exam in the upcoming year may also apply and receive contingent offers.
• A valid driver’s license and a valid Class R Colorado Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Ability to gain extensive knowledge of applicable state statutes, county ordinances, constitutional and substantive case law, the Colorado Criminal Code, Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, Colorado Rules of Evidence, and the Colorado Victim Rights Act.
• Ability to present legal and factual arguments clearly and persuasively to judges and jurors.
• Ability to process and dispose of a high volume of criminal case filings while maintaining a balance of equal justice among victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants.
• Ability to assess cases rapidly and determine just and ethical dispositions within District Attorney policies.
• Ability to recognize situations that may warrant policy or procedure exceptions and advocate effectively for alternative resolutions.
• Ability to react quickly and appropriately to courtroom objections, motions, inquiries, rulings, and presentations.
• Aptitude for mastering software programs applicable to the assignment.
• Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills for working with the role’s internal and external contacts.
• Successful completion of pre-employment testing, including an acceptable motor vehicle record and background check, and required fingerprinting and CBI background check.

Responsibilities

• Manage a docket of traffic and misdemeanor cases, including initial and ongoing case review.
• Follow up with law enforcement agencies.
• Negotiate with defense counsel.
• Meet with witnesses and victims.
• Prepare and conduct motions and trials.
• Prosecute county-court misdemeanor offenses, including assaults, domestic violence, DUIs, and sex offenses.
• Assess cases for strengths, weaknesses, aggravating and mitigating factors, and just and ethical dispositions consistent with the elected District Attorney’s policies.
• Respond appropriately in court to defense objections, oral motions, court inquiries and rulings, and presentations or responses from defense attorneys and witnesses.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate orally and in writing with colleagues, supervisors, defense attorneys, victims, witnesses, judges, court staff, law enforcement and related agencies, media, and the public.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree