Deputy Attorney- Criminal Prosecutor

Jobless; Hamilton (MT); On-site; USD 83,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Benefits/PERS

Job summary

Ravalli County seeks a Deputy Attorney (Criminal Prosecutor) to handle misdemeanor and felony prosecutions in various courts. The role requires strong legal research, writing, and courtroom experience, with responsibilities including charging decisions, discovery, and negotiations.

The position offers full benefits/PERS, on-site work, and a DOE pay range of roughly $83k–$93k annually. A JD and Montana bar admission are required, with ongoing professional responsibilities and on-call duties as

Qualifications

• The Deputy Attorney must hold a JD from an ABA-accredited institution.
• Must be admitted or eligible to be licensed to practice law in Montana.
• Ability to pass criminal background checks and investigations.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute misdemeanor crimes in Justice Court and felonies in District Court and Youth Court.
• Review investigations, draft subpoenas, and review search warrants.
• Make charging decisions and handle discovery and negotiations.
• Prepare for trials including witness interviews and motions.
• Represent the County in civil matters as assigned.

Skills

Confidentiality

Trial experience

Legal writing

English proficiency

Legal research

Criminal procedure knowledge

Communication

Multi-tasking

Education

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD)

Montana bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position: Deputy Attorney - Criminal Prosecutor

Classification: FLSA Exempt, Full-time

Department: Ravalli County Attorney's Office

Reports to: County Attorney

Posting Date: August 19, 2026

Application Deadline: Until filled

Rate of Pay: $83,345.60 - $93,345.60 DOE

Benefit Eligible: Full Benefits/PERS

Position Summary & Responsibilities

It is anticipated that the Deputy Attorney will prosecute misdemeanor crimes and offenses in Justice Court, and felony crimes in District Court and Youth Court. Primary duties will include:

• prosecution of misdemeanor and felony crimes and offenses, in adult or youth court, including all aspects of criminal prosecution to include:
• review of investigations
• drafting of investigative subpoenas
• review of search warrant applications
• making charging decisions and drafting charging documents
• producing timely discovery
• conducting appropriate negotiations
• trial preparation, including witness interviews and preparation
• pre-trial motions practice, including drafting briefs and conducting hearings
• coroner inquest proceedings
• jury and non-jury trials
• post-conviction proceedings
• being on-call, as assigned, to assist and advise law enforcement agencies or county departments

Under the direction of the County Attorney, or designated supervisor, this position might involve secondary duties that include, but are not limited to, prosecuting mental health involuntary commitment proceedings, dependency and neglect cases, youth in need of care, and regulatory enforcement actions, representation in adult guardianship proceedings, and other miscellaneous court proceedings, as well as civil litigation and civil projects for the Board of Ravalli County Commissioners, and various other Ravalli County government offices, departments, districts and public offices, as assigned by the County Attorney.

Job Requirements

• Ability to adhere to strict standards of confidentiality
• Ability to provide legal representation in jury and non-jury trials, and other court hearings and proceedings
• Ability to present oral and written arguments, and communicate effectively in the English language
• Ability to analyze law enforcement investigations and make charging decisions
• Ability to prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, correspondence and complex legal documents, and analyze legal theories and arguments of opposition
• Knowledge of criminal procedure and laws, and rules of evidence
• Ability to handle conflicts between the public and County departments, work under stress, work late hours, and communicate in contentious situations, all while remaining professional and representing well the County Attorney's Office
• Ability to accurately implement policy positions of County Attorney
• Ability to distinguish between law and policy
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to advise County entities, including County official, boards and employees
• Knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively perform all essential duties listed above
• Knowledge of legal research methods and procedures
• Availability to be on-call, as assigned, to assist and advise law enforcement agencies in criminal matters requiring immediate action, and advise elected officials and county departments on related civil issues
• Skill in the use of a personal computer with Microsoft Office package and related equipment; dictation equipment; on-line and manual legal research
• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and handle a full caseload

Because the work of the Deputy Attorney often involves highly volatile family and personal situations, the ability to handle emotionally-charged subject matter is necessary, together with a required high degree of sensitivity, confidentiality and professionalism.

Qualifications

The Deputy Attorney must:

• have a Doctor of Jurisprudence from an ABA accredited institution
• be admitted and licensed, or be qualified to become licensed, to practice law in the State of Montana in good standing

• authorize and pass criminal background check and personal investigation to the satisfaction of the Ravalli County Attorney

Physical/Environmental Demands

A Deputy Attorney (Criminal Prosecutor) commonly remains in an office or courtroom setting, but out of office and evening meetings are occasionally required. On occasion, may be required to lift up to 25 pounds, and to visit sites, projects or physical locations involving steep slopes, rough terrain or other difficult environmental conditions. This position requires occasional day and evening vehicle travel within the State, particularly within Ravalli County and to the state capitol in Helena.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

EEO Statement:

Ravalli County is an equal employment opportunity employer (EEO). Ravalli County does not refuse employment or discriminate in compensation or the other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment based upon race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, or veteran’s status.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.