Assistant District Attorney - District Court

Middlesex County DA's Office; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental and Vision

Retirement benefits

State pension after 10 years

Vacation 4 weeks/year

Sick leave accrual

Personal days

Job summary

Middlesex District Attorney’s Office seeks Assistant District Attorneys to represent the Commonwealth in criminal matters across the Juvenile, District, and Superior Courts. ADAs handle investigations from arraignment through trial, including bail hearings, motions, and appeals.

Candidates must possess a J.D. or international equivalency, be admitted or seeking admission to the Massachusetts Bar, and demonstrate strong legal writing and research abilities.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-Accredited law school or international LL.B. and LL.M. from ABA-Accredited law school.
• Massachusetts Bar admission in good standing or intent to seek admission.
• Strong legal writing and research skills.
• Familiarity with criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence.
• Commitment to developing trial advocacy skills through training and on-the-job experience.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commonwealth in pre-trial, trial, and post-conviction matters in assigned cases.
• Prosecute misdemeanor and felony cases in Juvenile, District, and Superior Courts.
• Handle bail arguments, substantive motions, pleas, jury and non-jury trials, and appellate proceedings.

Skills

Legal writing

Legal research

Criminal law

Trial advocacy

Education

J.D. or international LL.B./LL.M.

Job description

Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) are appointed by the District Attorney to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in criminal proceedings in Middlesex County. They are responsible for all pre-trial, trial, and post-conviction matters in assigned cases. ADAs prosecute a range of misdemeanor and felony cases in the Juvenile, District and Superior Courts. They represent the Commonwealth in bail arguments, substantive motions, plea negotiations, both jury and jury-waived trials, and appellate proceedings.

District Court ADAs work in one of our 10 District Court locations to handle cases from investigation and arraignment through trial. District Court ADAs handle a wide array of cases, ranging from operating under the influence (OUI) cases to firearm possession, narcotic distribution, domestic violence, and certain homicides. District Court ADAs handle investigations into these offenses and formal court proceedings, including but not limited to arraignments, bail hearings, pre-trial hearings, motion practice, and trial.

• A J.D. degree from an ABA-Accredited law school or an international LL.B. and an LL.M. degree from an ABA-Accredited law school.
• Current admission in good standing, or intent to seek admission, to the Massachusetts Bar.
• Strong legal writing and research skills.
• Familiarity and comfort with criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence.
• Commitment to furthering trial advocacy skills through training and on-the-job experience.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge the following:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. M.G.L. c. 149, § 19B.

You certify that the facts set forth in this employment application and attached resume are true and complete to the best of your knowledge and authorize the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office to verify the accuracy of the education and employment information herein. You understand that falsified statements shall be considered grounds for discharge.

You understand that the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office requires a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check on all prospective employees as a condition of their employment, and that individuals other than those provided by a candidate may be contacted in the course of completing a full background and qualifications check.

• Starting Salary: $72,000/year
• Vacation: 4 weeks per year, with the ability to carry over up to two weeks each calendar year
• Sick leave: unlimited accrual at a rate of 4.5 hours/bi-weekly pay period
• Personal days: 3 personal days per year
• Healthcare, Dental and Vision plans (both individual and family)
• Retirement benefits
• State pension benefits, vesting at 10 years of service