Assistant District Attorney

State of North Carolina; Hilton Head Island (SC); On-site; USD 56,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 2, is seeking an Assistant District Attorney. The position entails prosecuting criminal cases and handling jury trials where appropriate, with opportunities to impact communities across Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties.

Required to hold a Juris Doctor degree and NC license to practice law; prior prosecution experience is preferred. Strong research, writing, and advocacy skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and license to practice law in North Carolina.
• Experience in prosecution or significant litigation preferred.
• Strong knowledge of criminal procedure and statutory law.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute criminal cases in District and Superior Court, including jury trials as applicable.
• Review case files, analyze facts and law, and decide charging strategies.
• Research case law, prepare motions, briefs, and trial materials.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses to build cases.
• Negotiate plea agreements and represent the State in court proceedings.
• Conduct witness examinations, present evidence, and deliver opening/closing statements.
• Apply problem-solving and clear communication in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.

Skills

Courtroom litigation

Legal research

Negotiation

Oral advocacy

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

License to practice law in NC

Job description

Agency District Attorney Division DISTRICT ATTORNEY 2 Job Classification Title Assistant District Attorney (NS) Position Number 60006999 Grade 30013281

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $56,000.00 - $104,338 .00

Location: Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties

Are you an experienced prosecutor looking for meaningful work in a community where your efforts have a direct and lasting impact? Join our dedicated team at the Office of the District Attorney in Prosecutorial District 2 — a rural, close-knit region in Eastern North Carolina where professional challenge meets a high quality of life. District 2 spans a diverse landscape shaped by the Pamlico River, Pamlico Sound, and Albemarle Sound. The area offers a unique blend of small-town connections, natural beauty, abundant outdoor recreation, and the opportunity to serve communities that rely deeply on their prosecutors to uphold fairness, safety, and trust.

What You’ll Do

• Prosecute criminal cases in District and Superior Court, including handling jury trials based on your level of experience.
• Review case files, analyze factual and legal issues, and exercise sound judgment in charging decisions and trial strategies.
• Research case law and develop legal arguments to support motions, briefs, and trial preparation.
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, victims, and witnesses to build strong, well-supported cases.
• Negotiate plea agreements when appropriate and represent the State with professionalism in all court proceedings.
• Conduct witness examinations, present evidence, deliver opening and closing statements, and manage evidentiary issues with confidence and skill.
• Use effective problem-solving, clear communication, and practical decision-making in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.

What We Offer

• A unique rural lifestyle with a strong work-life balance and year-round outdoor opportunities such as boating, fishing, and hunting.
• Deep community impact with meaningful engagement and trust-building across the district.
• Collaborative office culture offering support, teamwork, and shared problem-solving.
• Immediate courtroom responsibility aligned with your experience level.
• Ongoing mentorship and numerous no-cost professional training programs.
• Opportunities to grow your litigation and prosecutorial skills in a diverse caseload environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Knowledge of: federal, state, common, and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, and common law; NC General Statutes to prosecute criminal cases; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; legal research methods, techniques, sources, databases, and other research tools; the principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information, documents, financial records, and other data that may be used in trial court processes, protocols, and strategies; the operations of the NC court system; and ethical and professional standards of conduct.

Skill in: interpreting and applying complex criminal laws to information, evidence, and other data; listening techniques used in interviewing witnesses; using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of case facts; researching and identifying precedence in case law; utilizing and evaluating electronic legal research and online systems; negotiating plea agreements; organizing work; setting priorities; meeting critical deadlines; and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.

Ability to: analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop, and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner; argue clearly, logically, and persuasively; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and other participants in the criminal justice process; recognize and solve problems; produce legal interpretations in a quick and responsive manner for court officials; write reports, motions, briefs, and other legal documents; deal tactfully with sensitive situations; communicate both orally and in writing; and work independently.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctor (JD) degree and license to practice law in North Carolina.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior prosecution or significant litigation experience. Commitment to public service, community safety, and ethical prosecution.

EEO Statement

All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers. The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

Recruiter Contact

Charmaine J. Leeks
NC Administrative Office of the Courts Human Resources Division
https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/career

Employer Information

North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today!