Deputy District Attorney III/IV - District Court $7500 Sign On Incentive
About The Position
Arapahoe County is hiring a Deputy District Attorney III/IV for District Court, with level determined commensurate with experience. The position performs professional legal and docket-management work to intake and prosecute complex felony offenses in the 18th Judicial District. The Deputy DA III handles a felony docket and is expected to first-chair F2 felonies and below, and occasionally some F1 felonies. Assignments may include Appeals, District, Domestic Violence, Economic Crimes, Intake, Juvenile Crimes, Organized Crimes, or the Special Victims Unit. A $7,500 signing incentive is offered to new County employees hired into this position. It is paid in three installments over the first year: one-third on the first paycheck, one-third after six months, and one-third after 12 months. Employees who do not complete the year or move to another position forfeit remaining payments. Current Arapahoe County employees are not eligible. Level III requires at least eight years of litigation experience and has a full salary range of $102,323.00–$163,451.08. Level IV requires at least 12 years of litigation experience and has a full salary range of $112,555.04–$179,796.24. Both levels require graduation from law school under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure and a Colorado law license. Remote work may be permitted under Office policies.
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.
- For Deputy DA III: at least 8 years of litigation experience.
- For Deputy DA IV: at least 12 years of litigation experience.
- Considerable to extensive knowledge of criminal procedure and evidence rules, with the ability to apply them in felony docket, hearing, preliminary hearing, and trial settings.
- Considerable knowledge of state statutes and general knowledge of substantive case law related to felony offenses.
- Ability to present legal and factual scenarios clearly and persuasively to people with varied legal, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Ability to process and dispose of felony filings while balancing justice for victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and defendants; assess case strengths, weaknesses, aggravating and mitigating factors, and reach just and ethical dispositions consistent with District Attorney policies.
- Ability to respond appropriately in court to objections, oral motions, court inquiries and rulings, and presentations or responses from defense attorneys and witnesses.
- Ability to write succinctly and with sound reasoning.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate orally and in writing with supervisors, coworkers, defense attorneys, victims, judges, court staff, police officers, witnesses, personnel from related agencies, and the public.
- Must pass pre-employment testing, including an acceptable motor vehicle record and background check.
- Must possess a valid Class R Colorado Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
- Must complete fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check for security clearance.
- Behavioral competencies required for all positions at ACG: Accountability, Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Integrity.
- Equivalent combinations of education and relevant work experience that satisfy job requirements may be considered at the District Attorney’s discretion.
Responsibilities
- Review and file felony charges by 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 by 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 and cross-examinations, objections, evidentiary presentation, jury instructions, and closing arguments.
- Research, draft, and argue motions and legal briefs for prosecution-initiated and defense-initiated motions.
- Provide after-hours on-call legal guidance to law enforcement, 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, attend required CLEs, deliver internal trainings, and present to schools or community groups.
Benefits
- $7,500 signing incentive for eligible new County employees, paid in three installments during the first year of employment.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
