Sr. Deputy District Attorney - Appeals

Douglas County, CO; Castle Rock (CO); On-site; USD 116,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

The Douglas County District Attorney's Office in Castle Rock, CO seeks a Senior Deputy District Attorney – Appeals to serve as the appellate advocate and subject-matter expert on high-level criminal issues for the 23rd Judicial District.

You will litigate before the Colorado Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and District Courts, while guiding specialized areas like CCJRA/CORA, civil forfeiture, sealings, and civil litigation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years appellate experience or substantially related criminal litigation experience.
• Extensive knowledge of criminal law, appellate rules, the rules of criminal procedure, and the rules of evidence.
• Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills with the ability to present complex legal issues clearly and persuasively.
• Capacity to fairly balance the interests of victims, the community, and defendants.
• Strong critical-thinking skills and rapid, well-reasoned courtroom and legal analysis.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, judges, defense counsel, law enforcement partners, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Represent the People of the State of Colorado in the Colorado Supreme Court, Colorado Court of Appeals, and District Courts within the 23rd Judicial District.
• Prosecute state-initiated appeals and cross-appeals involving pretrial, trial, and sentencing issues.
• Handle defense-initiated misdemeanor appeals and state-initiated suppression appeals.
• Advise on CCJRA/CORA matters, civil forfeiture, sealings, and civil litigation.
• Draft appellate briefs, motions, legal memoranda, and respond to postconviction filings.

Skills

Appellate experience

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Collaborative skills

Job description

Sr. Deputy District Attorney - Appeals

Employment Type: 0 - Full-time Regular

Pay Range: $116,329.00 - 174,493.00

Location: Castle Rock, CO

Overtime Exempt: Y

Elected Office / Department: DISTRICT ATTORNEY

The 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office is seeking anexperienced and highly skilled Senior Deputy District Attorney – Appeals toserve as an appellate advocate and subject‑matter expert on high‑level legalissues affecting the District. This senior role is central to shaping criminaljurisprudence in Colorado and ensuring the fair and consistent administrationof justice throughout Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln Counties.

You will litigate complex matters before the Colorado SupremeCourt, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and District Courts within the 23rdJudicial District. In addition, this position oversees several specializedlegal areas critical to the Office’s operations, including CCJRA/CORA issues,civil forfeiture, sealings, and civil litigation.

This position is ideal for an attorney who thrives onsophisticated legal analysis, constitutional interpretation, mentoring trialdeputies, and handling impactful appellate and civil matters.

Key Responsibilities

Appellate Litigation

• Represent the People of the State of Colorado inthe Colorado Supreme Court in certiorari matters, original proceedingsunder C.A.R. 21, and interlocutory appeals under C.A.R. 4.1.
• Prosecute state‑initiated appeals and cross‑appealsin the Colorado Court of Appeals involving pretrial, trial, and sentencingissues under C.A.R. 4 and 4.1.
• Handle defense‑initiated misdemeanor appeals andstate‑initiated suppression appeals in Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln CountyDistrict Courts under Crim. P. 37 and 37.1.

Specialized Legal Areas

• Advise on Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act(CCJRA) and Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) matters, includinglitigation, compliance, and policy development.
• Oversee and litigate civil forfeiture cases,ensuring statutory compliance and ethical enforcement.
• Manage record sealing determinations and relatedmotions, providing guidance on statutory interpretation and proceduralrequirements.
• Handle or coordinate civil litigation involvingthe District Attorney’s Office, including constitutional claims,subpoenas, writs, and other civil matters impacting operations.

Legal Research & Writing

• Conduct extensive research on complex andemerging criminal and constitutional issues.
• Draft appellate briefs, motions, legal memoranda,and respond to postconviction filings.
• Present oral arguments before appellate courts.
• Prepare responses and litigate postconviction matters, includingCrim. P. 35(c) claims, clemency and pardon requests, and Forensic ScienceIntegrity Act filings.

Support for Trial Deputies

• Provide legal guidance on motions, evidentiarymatters, trial strategy, and post‑conviction issues.
• Offer support in significant cases involvingcomplex legal, instructional, or constitutional questions.

Policy, Strategy & Training

• Develop legal strategies involving evolvingconstitutional, statutory, and procedural issues.
• Assist with drafting proposed legislation andamendments to the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Serve as a legal expert and training resource forprosecutors, law enforcement personnel, and partner agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualifications & Competencies

• Minimum of 5 years of appellate experience orsubstantially related criminal litigation experience.
• Extensive knowledge of criminal law, appellaterules, the rules of criminal procedure, and the rules of evidence.
• Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills withthe ability to present complex legal issues clearly and persuasively.
• Capacity to fairly balance the interests ofvictims, the community, and defendants.
• Strong critical‑thinking skills and rapid, well‑reasonedcourtroom and legal analysis.
• Ability to collaborate effectively withcolleagues, judges, defense counsel, law enforcement partners, and thepublic.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity,professionalism, and the mission of the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’sOffice.

Thisposition requires successful completion of a criminal background checkincluding fingerprinting through a national database. Mustpossess a valid Colorado Driver’s License upon hire, with complying insurance.Review of motor vehicle record is required at time of hire and periodicallythroughout employment.

CoreCompetencies:

• Leadership and mentorship
• Strong ethical judgment and legal acumen
• Excellent oral and written advocacy
• Organizational and case management skills
• Commitment to victim-centered, justice-driven prosecution

WorkEnvironment

• Office and courtroom settings, with some travel for investigations, training, and community engagement.
• Frequent exposure to sensitive and graphic content related to criminal prosecution.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Closing Date: 9/25/2026 4:59PM MST. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

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In the event of an emergency/disaster in or near the County, all County employees are expected to make every effort to be available to assist the County Manager, Elected/Appointed Officials and Department Directors to ensure the continued operation of any and all necessary County functions. This may mean being available to perform additional duties and hours beyond what is normally required. In the event that an exempt employee does work more than 40 hours a week in support of County operations during an emergency, such employee may receive overtime or other appropriate wage compensation in accordance with existing County policies or at the discretion of the County.