Temporary Deputy District Attorney - County Court

Arapahoe County • Greenwood Village, CO

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Temporary Deputy District Attorney – County Court is the first step in a career as a prosecutor with the 18th Judicial District. In county court, attorney's will prosecute misdemeanor offenses such as assaults, domestic violence, DUIs, and sex offenses. After gaining experience and courtroom skills in county court, Deputy District Attorneys have advancement opportunities into district court, where they handle all levels of felony offenses, from motor vehicle theft to murder.

Requirements

• Ability to gain extensive knowledge of state statutes, county ordinances, and constitutional /substantive case law related to motor vehicle, misdemeanor, and petty offense violations.
• Ability to gain extensive knowledge of the Colorado Criminal Code, the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, the Colorado Rules of Evidence, and the Colorado Victim Rights Act, which all apply to this assignment.
• Ability to advocate legal and factual scenarios in a clear and persuasive manner to judges and jurors.
• Ability to effectively process and dispose of a high volume of criminal case filings while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants.
• Ability to rapidly assess cases for strengths versus weaknesses and aggravators versus mitigators to determine just and ethical dispositions that are within policies promulgated by the elected District Attorney.
• Capacity to recognize situations warranting potential policy/procedure exceptions, and the ability to effectively advocate for alternative resolutions.
• Must be able to react quickly and appropriately in court to defense objections, oral motions, court inquiries and rulings, and presentations/responses from defense attorneys and witnesses.
• Demonstrate an aptitude for mastering software programs applicable to the assignment.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, defense attorneys codefendants, victims, witnesses, judges, court staff, law enforcement and related agencies' personnel, press/media, reporters, and the general public is essential; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same are also necessary for success in this role.
• 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 the State of Colorado and a valid driver’s license.
• We accept applicants licensed to practice in other states who would be eligible to gain licensure in Colorado.
• We also accept applications and make contingent offers to strong candidates who are planning to take the Colorado Bar exam in the upcoming year.
• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check

Nice To Haves

• We accept applications and hire temporary DDAs for individuals who are in their 3rd year of law school, approaching graduation, and are scheduled to take the Colorado Bar Exam in July. This application typically opens in the Spring prior to graduation.
• While the hiring and interview process occurs in the Spring, the starting date is after the July bar exam, in August. The specific start date in August is flexible.

Responsibilities

• Manages a docket of traffic and misdemeanor cases, to include initial and on-going case review, follow-up with law enforcement agencies, negotiations with defense counsel, meeting with witnesses and victims, and preparing and conducting motions and trial.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level