Prosecutor II - Charging Attorney

Maricopa County; Durango (CO); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PSLF LRHP for attorneys

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid work schedule after probation

Job summary

Maricopa County is seeking a charging attorney for the Justice Courts. MCAO covers 26 justice courts, and charging a crime is a critical, high-stakes duty requiring careful evaluation of evidence and applicable statutes.

The attorney must be able to review submittals quickly, coordinate with law enforcement, and explain charging decisions to victims. The office offers strong retirement benefits, healthcare, tuition reimbursement, and a hybrid work schedule after a probationary period.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from ABA-accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
• Two and a half years of prosecutor experience.
• Must be admitted to practice law in Arizona or eligible to practice.
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License on hire.
• Background check and drug testing as required; safety-sensitive designation where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Review submittals from law enforcement and make charging decisions within applicable time limits.
• Communicate charging decisions to victims, law enforcement, courts, and agencies.
• Review criminal history and facts to make release or charging recommendations.
• Navigate MCAO and Superior Court databases and fulfill court duties as assigned.

Skills

Criminal law

Courtroom experience

Prosecutor experience

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

MCAO and Superior Court databases

Job description

Posting Date 10/22/26 Application Deadline 10/27/26 Pay Range $102,000 - $148,500 annually Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. The position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Job Type Classified Department County Attorney

About the Position

This position is a charger for the Justice Courts. MCAO covers 26 justice courts throughout the county. Charging a crime is one of the most challenging and important decisions a prosecutor can make in their duties. Careful evaluation of a submittal before charging is critical. A thorough review of available evidence and the applicable criminal statutes is necessary to ensure that cases are not charged unless there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction based on constitutionally obtained and admissible evidence. The charging decision often includes communication and coordination with law enforcement. If the suspect is in custody, the charging attorney may only have a few hours to review the submittal and make a charging decision. The charging attorney must be familiar with and able to navigate both MCAO and Superior Court databases competently. Charging attorneys frequently communicate and explain charging decisions to crime victims.

About the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is the third-largest prosecution agency in the country. The dedicated professionals at MCAO play a critical role in keeping our community safe and are committed to doing the right things for the right reasons. Now, more than ever, this office needs skilled individuals to join our team and help ensure that justice is done.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRHP) for attorneys
• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance, a hybrid work schedule may be available after a probationary period, based on business needs.
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day1

Requirements & Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association
• Two and a half years of experience as a prosecutor
• Must be admitted to practice law and be in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License upon hire
• The Maricopa County Attorney's Office requires a thorough background check of all successful candidates and is authorized to test prospective employees for the presence of illegally accessed drugs.
• Drug testing is conducted once an offer has been extended and prior to placement.
• The charger can be based with the Justice Court Bureaus at either the Durango Facility or the Southeast Facility
• We Also Value Prosecutor experience in Arizona
• Three years of experience as a prosecutor
• This position will be a charger for the justice courts and so experience charging misdemeanor crimes is preferred

Job Contributions

• Review submittals from law enforcement and make appropriate charging decisions within applicable time limits
• Communicate effectively with law enforcement, the court, victims and other agencies and community partners
• Review risk assessments, criminal history, and the facts of the crime to make appropriate release recommendations to the judicial officer
• Comply with all rules regulating professional responsibility
• Cover court and other duties as assigned
• MCAO is a fully digital office.
• Must navigate effectively in MCAO and Superior Court computerized databases

Working Conditions

Office and courtroom setting in a high volume, fast-paced environment with frequent stressful situations May require long periods of sitting while completing paperwork, standing, and moving about while performing duties Ability to travel to and from various County locations for court appearances, meetings, and training, utilizing personal or County-owned vehicles Ability to move up to 20 pounds

Selection Procedure

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.

Who is that, you may ask? Forbes has rated Maricopa County one of Arizona’s Best Employers in 2024. We are over 13,000 employees strong, providing vital services for one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, with over four million residents who call Maricopa County home. You may wonder what we do, and it may be easier to answer that by asking what are you interested in! Join us and you will become part of a dynamic group of diverse and talented professionals who are passionate about making a difference and giving back to their communities. We offer career paths and opportunities in just about every job category and job level imaginable, so your journey with us is what you make of it! Along with offering purposeful careers, you can expect a rich selection of economical and comprehensive healthcare options, robust retirement plans, tuition and loan payment programs, and multiple paid leave options, as part of an overall generous compensation and benefits package. Thinking about career options, then please think about us! We are Maricopa County, and we are looking forward to working with you.