Deputy/ Senior Assistant Commonwealth Attorney

Goochland County • Goochland, VA

6d

About The Position

Goochland County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is hiring one attorney at either the Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney or Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney level. The responsibilities are the same at both levels, though the role’s scope and qualifications differ. The position prosecutes misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in the Goochland County General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, and Circuit Court on behalf of the County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. A Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney also has some administrative responsibilities and earlier exposure to matters beyond criminal prosecution.

This is a full-time role that works closely with paralegals, the victim-witness Director, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, and Clerk’s Office personnel. Typical work includes reviewing police reports, watching body-worn camera videos, communicating with witnesses, victims, law enforcement officers, and attorneys, conducting legal research, and drafting records subpoenas and legal pleadings. Court appearances occur most days, but court rarely occupies more than half a day.

The office describes its culture as collaborative, professional, and positive. It is modernizing its practices, reducing reliance on paper files, and expects to move to an AI-supported prosecutor case and document management system. That system will integrate with Axon Justice, which the office uses to manage electronic case data. The successful candidate must exercise initiative and independent judgment, communicate tactfully and discreetly, and bring strong organizational and computer skills. The position requires an understanding of effective and ethical use of modern AI tools and an interest in learning legal-specific AI tools.

Applicants must have criminal law trial experience, a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, and active membership in the Virginia State Bar. Senior Assistant candidates are preferred to have at least five years of prosecutorial experience. Deputy candidates must have at least ten years of criminal law trial experience and successful experience with more complex and varied case types. Virginia state court trial experience is preferred. Employment is contingent on background checks, a drug screen, education and degree verification, CJIS-compliant criminal background screening, and a valid Virginia driver’s license with a driving record meeting HR policy requirements. County employees must complete emergency preparedness and incident management training as directed or requested.

Requirements

• Criminal law trial experience.
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active, licensed membership in the Virginia State Bar.
• Strong organizational and computer skills.
• Ability to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in determining appropriate courses of action in varied legal cases and situations.
• Tact, courtesy, and discretion in contacts with crime victims, suspects, law enforcement and judicial officials, public officials, and the public.
• Understanding of how to use modern, ubiquitous AI tools effectively and ethically.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license and a driving record meeting HR Policy requirements.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check, drug screen, education and degree verification, and the more stringent criminal background check required for CJIS compliance.
• Completion of emergency preparedness and incident management training courses as directed or requested.
• For the Deputy level: at least ten years of criminal law trial experience and successful experience with more complex and varied case types.

Nice To Haves

• At least five years of prosecutorial experience for the Senior Assistant level.
• Virginia state court trial experience.
• Strong interest in learning to use legal-specific AI tools optimally.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in the General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, and Circuit Court for Goochland County and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Review written police reports and body-worn camera videos.
• Communicate with witnesses, victims, law enforcement officers, and other attorneys.
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw and CoCounsel.
• Draft records subpoenas and legal pleadings.
• Appear in court most days of the week.
• For the Deputy position, take on some administrative responsibilities and earlier exposure to Commonwealth’s Attorney responsibilities beyond prosecution of criminal law violations.
• Work effectively with paralegals, the victim-witness Director, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, and Clerk’s Office personnel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree