Conditional Hire – Prosecutor I

Maricopa County•Madison, AZ

About The Position

Ready to begin your legal career? Join us! As a Prosecutor, you will prosecute criminal cases for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and provide competent legal advice and services. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is accepting applications from third-year law students who will take the Arizona bar exam in July 2026 for our Conditional Hire – Prosecutor I position. Applicants hired into this position will be offered a full-time Prosecutor I position conditioned on the following: The applicant is successful on the July 2026 bar exam; The applicant is cleared through MCAO’s attorney background process, including drug screen; The applicant submits all character and fitness materials to the State Bar of Arizona no later than May 31, 2026; The applicant completes all requirements for admission to the State Bar (including, but not limited to: passing the MPRE, completing the Arizona Law Course (if applicable), etc) prior to October 9, 2026; MCAO has an available Prosecutor I vacancy at the time the applicant receives an Arizona bar number. Conditional Hires will start working at MCAO as law clerks shortly after the July 2026 bar exam. Law clerks will be compensated at $22.00 per hour, paid through a third-party employer, and are expected to work a 40-hour workweek. After Conditional Hires receive their Arizona State Bar number and are formally placed in a Prosecutor I vacancy, they will be compensated as a Prosecutor I. The starting salary for a new attorney in the Prosecutor I position is $82,250 annually. The full salary range is $82,250 - $106,375 annually.

Requirements

Current 3rd-year law student, expected to receive a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and sit for the Arizona Bar exam within the next six months
Applicant must submit a complete application (including all materials needed for their Character and Fitness review) to the Arizona Bar Association by May 31, 2026, to continue the application process
Applicant must take the Arizona bar exam within 6 months of this application, pass, and be issued an Arizona bar number to continue the application process
Successful applicants must have demonstrated an interest in criminal prosecution during law school through internships, externships, employment, volunteering, or clinical experiences with a criminal prosecution agency

Responsibilities

Discuss and present analyses of legal issues
Conduct trials, present oral arguments, and cover court
Interview witnesses regarding facts in the prosecution of cases
Research and analyze legal issues using both computerized legal research and hard copy tools
Compose memoranda and pleadings regarding legal issues of concern
Maintain professional relationships with victims, witnesses, law enforcement agencies, and members of the community
Negotiate the just resolution of assigned cases and comply with victims' rights

Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRHP) for attorneys
Work with a greater purpose
Tuition reimbursement
Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club , dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center
Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% monthly contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1