Deputy District Attorney III

County of Sonoma; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 192,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework options

Salary advancement

Paid time off

Health benefits

Professional development

Job summary

The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office seeks experienced attorneys to join their team. Deputy District Attorney positions exist at I–IV levels, with a starting salary up to $102.11/hourly ($213,115 annually), plus a competitive total compensation package.

As a DDA III, you will prosecute misdemeanors and a wide range of felonies, conduct preliminary hearings, and manage courtroom calendars. A CA State Bar member with two+ years of trial experience is required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and active California State Bar membership by hire.
• Two+ years of legal experience as a licensed attorney with significant trial experience.
• Ability to handle misdemeanor and felony matters and manage diverse caseloads.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute misdemeanor and felony cases in court.
• Conduct preliminary hearings for misdemeanor and felony jury trials.
• Manage calendars including arraignments, bail hearings, law & motion, and sentencing.

Skills

Trial experience

Misdemeanor & felony handling

Courtroom communication

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Position Information

The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office is seeking experienced and passionate attorneys to join their team!

Starting salary up to $102.11/hourly ($213,115/annually) and a competitive total compensation package!

The District Attorney's Office is currently recruiting to fill two Deputy District Attorney positions at either the Deputy District Attorney I, II, III, or IV levels depending on qualifications. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for those levels.

The Positions

As a Deputy District Attorney III (DDA III), you will be responsible for prosecuting all misdemeanor cases and a wide variety of felony cases, including conducting preliminary hearings for both misdemeanor and felony jury trials. The DDA III reviews misdemeanor and felony matters for filing, prosecutes misdemeanor and felony cases in court, and handles all manner of courtroom calendars including arraignments, bail hearings, law and motion, and felony sentencing. A DDA III manages a heavy caseload which may consist of misdemeanors, felonies, or some combination. This attorney is expected to exercise sound independent judgement in managing, resolving, and trying cases.

The DDA III position does not supervise other prosecutors or staff members, but may provide guidance or advice to less experienced prosecutors as needed. This position reports directly to a Chief Deputy, but may also receive guidance from the Assistant District Attorney or the District Attorney. This position often operates as part of a prosecution team, and must be comfortable and collegial when collaborating with and assisting fellow prosecutors.

The Ideal Candidates

In Addition To Holding a Juris Doctorate Degree And Membership In The California State Bar, The Ideal Candidates Will Have Two Or More Years Of Experience As a Licensed Attorney With Significant Trial Experience, Including Prior Felony Jury Trial Experience. They Will Be Selflessly Committed To Handling Challenging Work For The Betterment Of The Community And Be Dedicated To Ensuring Equal Justice And Equal Access To The Criminal Justice System For All Citizens Of Sonoma County Regardless Of Race, Gender, Sexual Identity, Ethnic Origin, Or Nationality. The Ideal Candidates Will Also Possess Many Of The Following

• Demonstrated experience with filing misdemeanor and felony cases, misdemeanor and felony calendar management, preliminary hearings, and misdemeanor and felony trials
• Significant knowledge of and experience with California criminal law and procedure, including recently enacted statutes and case law
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, law enforcement officers, defense attorneys, judges and court staff, and all members of the public
• A strong interest in criminal justice and a desire to assist crime victims and strive to provide the community with a safe place to live by holding the guilty accountable, protecting the innocent, and preserving the dignity of victims and their families
• The ability to thrive working in a fast-paced environment with short timelines
• Prior attendance at California District Attorneys Association or National District Attorneys Association seminars in Trial Practice, Felony Sentencing, and other areas relating to criminal prosecution is highly desired

Please note: A current, active member of the State Bar of California is required by date of hire, please see Questions 4 and 5.

The District Attorney's Office

Under The Leadership Of The District Attorney, Carla Rodriguez, The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office Is The Largest Legal Office In The County And Has a Staff Of 138 Employees Including Attorneys, Investigators, Paralegals, And Clerical Support. Our Mission Is To Pursue Justice For The People Of Sonoma County Through Innovative Prosecution, Strategic Legislative Advocacy, And Strong Community Partnerships, Holding Those Who Harm Our Community Accountable While Delivering Victim-centered Justice With Integrity And Professionalism. With a Population In Excess Of 475,000, The Office Handles a Wide Variety Of Serious And Complex Criminal Cases, As Well As Civil Consumer Protection And Environmental Crimes.

Our Core Values Are

• Integrity – We uphold the highest ethical standards and do what’s right, even when it’s difficult
• Courage – We have the determination to fearlessly pursue justice, advocating relentlessly for victims and holding offenders accountable regardless of challenges or opposition.
• Results Focused – We pursue creative, evidence-based solutions that address harm, enhance public safety, and deliver meaningful justice for victims and our community.
• Professionalism – We conduct ourselves with competency, respect, and accountability while maintaining the highest standards of legal practice and public service.
• Victim Centered – We treat every victim with dignity, respect, and compassion while ensuring their voice is heard and their healing is supported throughout the justice process.

What We Offer

Benefits

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework- A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement- A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career Advancement- With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Deputy District Attorney IV ($196,502 - $238,850/annually)
• Paid Time Off- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness- Annual benefit allowances of up to $1,250 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Annual Professional Development Benefit - $452
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief– County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

The District Attorney’s Office is currently recruiting to fill two Deputy District Attorney positions at either the I, II, III, or IV levels. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

• Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Sonoma County Prosecutors' Association Memorandum of Understanding, (SCPA MOU) and our Employee Benefits directory.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Legal experience subsequent to membership in the State Bar of California, which directly related to the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, two years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney, including one year of experience comparable to the level of Deputy District