DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY I

County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); Presencial; USD 82.000 - 110.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is seeking a Deputy District Attorney I for a one-year training assignment. You will work with investigators, review investigations, determine charges, and handle related court proceedings. After a 12-month probation, you may advance to Deputy District Attorney II.

This role emphasizes courtroom advocacy, legal research, discovery management, and collaboration with law enforcement. California Bar admission is mandatory.

Formación

• All applicants must be admitted to the California State Bar Association to practice law in California.
• Must provide a legible copy of an active California State Bar Card showing current year.
• If bar results are not yet certified, a letter from the California State Bar confirming passing results may be accepted.

Responsabilidades

• Prepares and conducts preliminary hearings; tries misdemeanors and felonies and argues related motions.
• Reads, analyzes legal documents and transcripts related to criminal prosecution.
• Reviews cases for legal sufficiency for charging crimes.
• Communicates with witnesses, law enforcement, and defense counsel regarding cases.
• Prepares and organizes extensive discovery, evidence, and exhibits for court.
• Conducts legal research and drafts opinions, pleadings, briefs, and authorities.
• Acts as courtroom advocate for the District Attorney.
• Assists in preparing and prosecuting complex criminal cases.
• Prepares computer-based presentations for court proceedings.
• Visits crime scenes when appropriate.
• Discusses trial strategies with higher-level attorneys; negotiates modifications of charges.

Conocimientos

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Educación

California Bar Admission

Descripción del empleo

Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office

EXAM NUMBER: A9271L.

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: Open to all.

FILING PERIOD: The application filing period will begin on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) – Continuous. Applications will be accepted until the needs of the recruitment have been met.

Los Angeles County, with almost 10 million residents, is the nation’s most populous county and one of Southern California's largest employers! With more than 100,000 employees across 39 departments and 2,100 different job types, we provide vital and diverse public services, including law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities. We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

Job Overview

What does a Deputy District Attorney I do? As a prosecutor, you will work closely with District Attorney Investigators and local law enforcement agencies, review felony and misdemeanor investigations and determine whether sufficient evidence is present to file criminal charges, decide on the appropriate charge(s), and handle related court proceedings, including trials. Your role as a Deputy District Attorney is vital to fulfilling the mission of the Office. The Deputy District Attorney I position is structured as a one-year training assignment. Following the successful completion of a 12‑month probationary period, you will have an opportunity to apply and be promoted to the Deputy District Attorney II position.

Special Salary Information

New appointments shall be compensated at Step 6 ($8,582.75) of the DDA I salary range.

Essential Job Functions

• Prepares and conducts preliminary hearings. Tries misdemeanor and felony cases and argues related motions such as search and seizure.
• Reads, understands, and analyzes legal documents (e.g., courtroom transcripts, pleadings, police reports, expert witness reports, statutory and non-statutory legal motions, affidavits, arrest and search warrants, court orders, statutes, appellate case law, and jury instructions) related to criminal prosecution.
• Reviews cases for legal sufficiency for the purpose of charging crimes.
• Communicates with witnesses, defendants, law enforcement, investigators, attorneys, and other interested parties regarding cases. Instructs witnesses on courtroom procedures and appropriate protocol.
• Prepares and organizes extensive legal discovery, evidence, and exhibits to be presented in court.
• Conducts legal research to prepare written reports and draft various legal documents (e.g., opinions, pleadings, briefs, and points and authorities).
• Acts as a courtroom advocate on behalf of the District Attorney.
• Assists in the preparation and prosecution of the more complex criminal cases.
• Prepares computer‑based presentations for use by the prosecution in court proceedings.
• Visits the crime scene when appropriate.
• Discusses trial strategies, factual, ethical, and legal issues, and potential case dispositions with higher‑level attorneys.
• Negotiates with defense attorneys regarding the disposition and modification of charges.
• Obtains evidence of prior convictions and provides discovery in a timely manner.

Requirements

All Applicants Must Be Admitted To The California State Bar Association To Practice Law In The State Of California. Types Of Acceptable Documents Include:

• A legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of an active California State Bar Card (CSBC). The CSBC must indicate the current year. If the watermark of the current year is not visible, your application will be rejected. -OR-
• If you recently passed the bar and do not have a bar card, a legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of a letter from the California State Bar Association that clearly states that you have achieved a passing score on the California State Bar Examination AND that you have satisfied ALL of the requirements for admission to practice law at the time of filing.

All correspondence must be on the California State Bar letterhead.

Congratulatory Letters Indicating You Have NOT Satisfied ALL Of The Requirements For Admission To Practice Law Will Not Be Accepted. Examples Of Outstanding Requirements Include:

• Records indicate that your Application for Determination of Moral Character has not been completed or still needs to be submitted. Early submission is strongly encouraged, as this process may take several months to complete. Failure to complete this requirement may result in the rejection of your application.
• Records indicate that you have not taken the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
• Records indicate that you have outstanding fees.

Law graduates with provisional licenses are not eligible to participate in this examination.

To receive credit for your Bar Card, include a legible copy with your application. If you are unable to attach documents, you may email them to [e-mail] at the time of filing or within seven (7) business days of filing your application. Failure to provide the documentation will result in application rejection. Please include your Name, the Exam Number, and the Exam Title on the documents.

We do not accept password‑protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst. Please check your application to ensure that the documents are uploaded logging into governmentjobs.com and reviewing your submitted application. All documents must be clear and legible. Although resumes may be uploaded as attachments to the online application, resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of completing the online application.

License Requirement

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to apply an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job‑related essential functions.

Physical Class

2 – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10‑pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Location and Shift Requirements

Deputy District Attorneys are rotated through a variety of developmental assignments to prepare for handling cases of increasing difficulty; incumbents may be assigned to work in any area of Los Angeles County and on any shift (e.g., evenings, nights, weekends).

Examination Content

Our assessment process for this exam consists of a structured oral interview weighted 100% of your score, which includes an opening statement exercise and will evaluate your knowledge of criminal law and procedures, prosecutorial ethics, and the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the list.

Eligibility and Vacancy Information

Applicants who passed the assessment are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of 6 months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the District Attorney's Office as they occur.

Equal Employment Opportunity / Non‑Discrimination Statement

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non‑discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.

Testing Accommodations For Applicants

The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.

Anti‑Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti‑racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Fair Chance

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Employment Eligibility

Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Career PathFinder

Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.

Veteran’s Credit

Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.

Contact Information

• Exam Number: A9271L
• Department Contact Name: Exams Unit
• Department Contact Phone: [phone]
• Departmental Contact Email: [e-mail]
• ADA Coordinator Phone: [phone]
• California Relay Services Phone: [phone]
• Teletype Phone: [phone]
• Alternate Teletype Phone: [phone]