Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

Thurston County•Olympia, WA

10d•$6,825 - $13,188

About The Position

The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division, seeks an entry-level and/or experienced Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to support its mission of pursuing justice, protecting the community, and serving victims with fairness and compassion. Depending on qualifications, the attorney may prosecute District Court, Juvenile Court, and/or Superior Court cases. Under general supervision, the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney performs professional legal work consistent with the constitutional and statutory duties of the Prosecuting Attorney. Work includes legal research and analysis, document preparation or review, and prosecution of criminal cases on behalf of Thurston County or the State of Washington. Attorneys exercise considerable legal discretion with minimal supervision, represent the elected Prosecuting Attorney, and are expected to follow high ethical standards, their oath of office, and the office’s core values. The position may include leading or supervising other attorneys or legal support staff. Work is generally indoors and scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Workload may require hours outside the assigned schedule. The role may be designated essential personnel and may be temporarily reassigned during a catastrophic emergency. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or client contact. The role involves occasional exposure to hostile or irate individuals and people with violent backgrounds, and may require occasional crime-scene attendance. Physical demands include frequent keyboarding; occasionally standing or sitting for long periods, traveling between courtrooms and locations, reaching, fine manipulation, and lifting up to 20 pounds.

Requirements

Graduation from a recognized and accredited school of law.
Membership in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
Basic knowledge of Washington State law; the rules and procedures of county, state, and federal courts and administrative agencies; and basic litigation and trial techniques.
Ability to conduct legal research; analyze and apply rules, statutes, laws, legal principles, and precedents to facts; advise clients; and formulate arguments clearly and logically in writing and orally.
Ability to work harmoniously with County officials and court personnel and maintain good public relations.
Professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to public service and ethical prosecution.
Ability to work collaboratively with law enforcement, defense counsel, victims, court personnel, and colleagues.
Ability to manage a high-volume caseload accurately and efficiently, prioritize deadlines, and remain organized and responsive in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with case management and digital evidence systems, Microsoft Office Suite, legal research tools such as LexisNexis, and electronic filing and case management systems.

Nice To Haves

Solid understanding of Washington law, criminal procedure, and rules of evidence.
Strong legal research, writing, and analytical reasoning abilities.
Ability to evaluate cases, apply statutes and case law, and make appropriate charging and disposition decisions.
Proficiency in drafting clear, persuasive motions, memoranda, and trial materials.
Confidence and professionalism in courtroom presentation and oral advocacy.
Ability to examine witnesses, argue motions, and conduct bench or jury trials effectively.
Skill in plea negotiations, case preparation, and presentation of evidence.
Willingness to develop advocacy skills through mentorship, feedback, and courtroom experience.
Commitment to pursuing justice rather than convictions and to making decisions with discretion, fairness, and transparency.
Respect for the rights of victims, defendants, and the broader community.
Clear, professional, and respectful written and verbal communication.
Professional demeanor under pressure and in high-stakes environments.
Empathy and sensitivity when interacting with victims and witnesses.
Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize multiple deadlines.
Dedication to justice, public safety, and the fair administration of law.
Understanding of the diverse communities served by Thurston County and willingness to approach the work with cultural awareness and respect.
Interest in ongoing professional growth, training, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

Review and evaluate evidence in criminal referrals from law enforcement and determine whether charges should be initiated in accordance with office policy, ethical rules, and state law.
Manage and prosecute criminal cases, including legal research, document preparation, motion advocacy, plea negotiations and agreements, change-of-plea hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings.
Handle cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies in District Court, Superior Court, or other courts as assigned.
Advise law enforcement during criminal investigations and assist with applications for search warrants, subpoenas, and other investigatory judicial orders; attend crime scenes when needed to understand the scene and advise investigators.
Prepare charged cases for trial, including interviewing witnesses, examining physical evidence, planning trial strategy, filing motions and responding to defense motions, and preparing trial memoranda and exhibits.
Present evidence and conduct trial advocacy on behalf of Thurston County or the State of Washington, exercising professional discretion with minimal supervision.
Handle appeals filed by either party in criminal cases when assigned, including legal research, brief writing, and oral argument in state or federal appellate courts.
Provide training presentations to office attorneys and staff, law enforcement officers, or legal professionals from other organizations when requested.
Lead or supervise other attorneys or legal support staff when assigned.