Assistant District Attorney: Conviction Integrity Unit

Queens District Attorney's Office; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

The Queens District Attorney's Office seeks experienced Assistant District Attorneys for the Conviction Integrity Unit. The role demands thorough investigations into claims of wrongful convictions, with qualifications including a law practice license in New York and a robust legal background. Candidates must excel in writing and investigative skills, necessitating 5+ years of relevant experience to apply.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of legal experience post-law school.
• Experience in violent crime investigations or litigations.
• Excellent writing skills required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations into wrongful convictions.
• Obtain and review legal documents and evidence.
• Oversee DNA and forensic testing.

Skills

Attention to detail

Investigative skills

Courtroom experience

Education

Admitted to practice law in New York

Graduation from an accredited law school

Job description

The Queens County District Attorney’s Office is seeking experienced Assistant District Attorneys for the Conviction Integrity Unit (“CIU”). Following best practices established in this expanding field, the CIU reinvestigates and resolves credible claims of actual innocence or wrongful conviction arising out of past convictions.

Job Duties:

The primary job of ADAs assigned to the CIU is to conduct investigations. This will include:

• Obtaining and reviewing voluminous court records, law enforcement documents, parole minutes, and all other documents connected with or relevant to a criminal prosecution;
• Interviewing convicted persons, witnesses, attorneys, relevant experts and police officers;
• Overseeing DNA and other forensic testing;
• Writing detailed memoranda and pleadings relating to the investigation; and
• Working with defense counsel and the community in resolving cases of actual innocence or other wrongful conviction.

Qualifications:

• All candidates must be admitted to practice law in the State of New York.
• Candidates must have five or more years of legal experience following graduation from an accredited law school.
• Candidates should have a track record of investigating and/or litigating cases involving violent crime, including the use of DNA and other forensic science. This experience can be as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, innocence organization attorney or other applicable area of practice concerning criminal law in any jurisdiction.
• Excellent writing skills and an attention to detail are required.

Preferred Skills:

• Candidates should have courtroom experience in trials or other evidentiary proceedings involving homicides and/or other serious felonies.
• Candidates should have experience investigating or prosecuting cold cases and/or litigating fact-based post-conviction proceeding.

Salary commensurate with experience. Salary range $120,000to $148,000

Applicants should submit a resume, along with a statement of interest addressed to Counsel to the Chief ADA Vincent Carroll. Please apply through the link below.

Pursuant to Public Officers Law Section 3(1), United States citizenship is required of all Assistant District Attorneys upon commencement of their employment, as is New York State residency.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

As a current or prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. Please review the notice to see if you may be eligible for programs and how to apply at nyc.gov/studentloans.