Senior Assistant District Attorney

Franklin County, PA; Chambersburg (Franklin County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement plan

Job summary

Franklin County is seeking a Senior Assistant District Attorney authorized by the District Attorney to represent the Commonwealth and the County in prosecutions within the County.

The role involves assisting police, conducting legal research, drafting opinions, advising on complaints and warrants, evaluating evidence, preparing witnesses, and representing the Commonwealth in hearings, trials, and appeals. Minimum three years of prosecutorial experience and a J.D. are required.

Qualifications

• Juris doctor degree and Pennsylvania bar admission.
• Three years of criminal prosecuting experience at state or federal level or other transferable legal experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist police in criminal investigations.
• Provide legal opinions to police relative to investigations.
• Conduct legal research and write opinions thereon.
• Advise police on drafting criminal complaints, search warrants and statements of probable cause.
• Evaluate evidence relative to propriety of charges and warrants.
• Assemble and evaluate evidence, interview witnesses and prepare for court appearances.
• Represent the Commonwealth in prosecutions at hearings, trials and appeals.
• Represent Commonwealth in Post-Conviction Relief Act hearings and appeals.
• Respond to requests for legal opinions from law enforcement officers and the public.
• Interact with state and local law enforcement agencies.

Skills

Communication skills

Independence

Time management

Analytical ability

Litigation ability

Constitutional law

Confidentiality

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Are you a motivated, service-oriented professional? We are seeking a dedicated individual authorized by the District Attorney to represent the Commonwealth and the County in the prosecution of individuals alleged to have violated the laws of the Commonwealth within the County.

Franklin County is a great place to live and work! Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Tuscarora mountains in South Central Pennsylvania but not far from DC, Baltimore and the beaches of the mid-Atlantic, Franklin County is one of the fastest growing counties in the Commonwealth. We want the best people working to serve the 155,000+ residents that call this beautiful area "home."

QUALIFICATIONS

A. EDUCATION/TRAINING

Juris doctor degree and admission to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Some training in computers helpful. Continuing legal education required.

B. WORK EXPERIENCE

At least three years of experience as a criminal prosecutor at either the state or federal level, or other legal experience as deemed transferrable in the discretion of the District Attorney.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

SENIOR ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Position Description Exempt

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB

Acts on authority delegated by the district attorney to represent the Commonwealth and the County in the prosecutions of those persons who are alleged to have violated the law of the Commonwealth within the County.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE JOB

1. Assists police in the investigation of criminal offenses.
2. Provides legal opinions to police relative to investigations.
3. Conducts legal research and writes opinions thereon.
4. Advises police on the drafting of criminal complaints, search warrants and statements of probable cause.
5. Evaluates evidence relative to propriety of criminal charges and search warrants.
6. Assembles and evaluates evidence, interviews and prepares witnesses for various court appearances.
7. Represents the Commonwealth in the prosecution of cases at preliminary hearings, pretrial motions, trials before court and/or jury, post-verdict motions and appeals to Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania.
8. Represents Commonwealth in Post-Conviction Relief Act hearings in the Court of Common Pleas and appeals there from to the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania.
9. Represents the Commonwealth in proceedings on writs of habeas corpus in United States District Court, Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court.
10. Represents the Commonwealth and the Court of Common Pleas in Indirect Criminal Contempt proceedings and all appeals there from.
11. Represents the Commonwealth in Juvenile Court proceedings and all appeals there from.
12. Represents the Commonwealth in summary appeals and appeals there from.
13. Represents the Commonwealth in pre-trail conferences.
14. Does legal research and makes oral arguments and prepares written briefs before all Commonwealth and federal courts of Pennsylvania.
15. Responds to miscellaneous requests for legal opinions from law enforcement officers and the general public.
16. Interacts with all other state and local law enforcement agencies and local individuals and organizations.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF THE JOB AS A SENIOR ASSISTANT

1. Generally prosecutes more complex cases than Assistant District Attorneys within the Senior Assistant’s assigned courtroom.
2. Acts as a liaison between the assigned judge and the assistant district attorneys within the Senior Assistant’s respective courtroom, in the absence of the First Assistant District Attorney or Chief Deputy District Attorney.
3. Assists the First Assistant District Attorney or Chief Deputy District Attorney for their courtroom with preparing the list of all criminal cases proceeding past call of the criminal trial list within the Senior Assistant’s assigned courtroom for purposes of determining their order of priority for trial under Pa.R.Crim.P. 600.
4. Acts as a resource and internal consultant to Assistant District Attorneys within the District Attorney’s Office, other County departments, local law enforcement agencies, and federal law enforcement agencies.
5. Prepares special projects and assignments at the direction of the District Attorney.
6. Handles specialized prosecutions at the direction of the District Attorney.

OTHER DUTIES

1. Attends continuing education courses on law enforcement and related issues.
2. Attends meetings, seminars and training sessions as required.
3. Performs other job related work as assigned by the District Attorney.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives occasional instruction and limited supervision from the District Attorney, First Assistant District Attorney, or Chief Deputy District Attorney assigned to their courtroom in regard to daily work assignments.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

1. Provides occasional instruction and limited supervision, in the absence of the First Assistant District Attorney or Chief Deputy District Attorney, to the assistant district attorneys assigned within the Senior Assistant District Attorney’s respective courtroom with regard to daily work assignments.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Works indoors in very crowded work space, lighting and ventilation, but with fluctuations in temperatures.
2. Works with above average indoor exposure to noise, stress and disruptions.
3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.
4. Works beyond normal work hours or works on-call as needed.
5. Works daily with volatile and potentially hostile or aggressive individuals involved in cases.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.
2. Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the workday, with intermittent periods of standing, walking, bending, twisting, reaching necessary to carry out job duties.
3. Requires simple dexterity of fingers/hands; arms/legs; torso.
4. Sedentary work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of ten (10) pounds.
5. Must demonstrate emotional stability.
6. Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position
7. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.

QUALIFICATIONS

A. EDUCATION/TRAINING

Juris doctor degree and admission to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Some training in computers helpful. Continuing legal education required.

B. WORK EXPERIENCE

At least three years of experience as a criminal prosecutor at either the state or federal level, or other legal experience as deemed transferrable in the discretion of the District Attorney.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language and to follow oral and written instructions.
2. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Must possess initiative and problem solving skills.
4. Must possess ability to function independently, have flexibility and personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers and others.
5. Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to client information and records.
6. Must possess thorough knowledge of state substantive and procedural law and rules of evidence.
7. Must possess skill and ability to analyze, organize and present facts and evidence in legal proceedings.
8. Must possess the ability to litigate cases effectively and prepare necessary briefs and arguments.
9. Must possess the ability to practice effective time management, organization skills and to concentrate on work and details of several cases at once.
10. Must possess a sense of fairness which allows for vigorous yet just prosecution of all offenders while protecting the rights of crime victims and society.
11. Must possess the ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, and administrative regulations; to analyze facts, evidence and precedents and to arrive at logical interpretations.
12. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

• We offer an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and a retirement plan!

Franklin County is an equal opportunity employer.