Closing Date: 21st November, 2025
Description:
The San Diego City Attorney's Office protects the people of San Diego by serving as chief legal counsel to the City of San Diego's elected officials and operational departments; prosecuting and defending civil cases involving the City; and as the City's prosecutor on behalf of the People of the State of California, by holding accountable those who commit crimes against the public health and safety and violate other local and state laws. Our municipal law firm employs over 180 lawyers and approximately 230 support staff, dedicated to providing legal services to the City of San Diego.The Office of the San Diego City Attorney has an opening for the Assistant City Attorney/Assistant City Prosecutor in the Criminal Division. The Assistant City Attorney reports directly to the City Attorney and is a member of the City Attorney's Executive Team.
In addition to the civil legal work of the City of San Diego, the City Attorney's Office serves as the City's prosecutor on behalf of the People of the State of California. Under the direction of the Assistant City Attorney, the Criminal and Community Justice Division prosecutes misdemeanor cases within the City's jurisdiction, participates in collaborative courts, and prosecutes criminal nuisances. The Division handles a wide range of crimes, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, drug possession and use, battery, domestic violence, vandalism, graffiti, theft, weapons and firearms offenses, reckless driving, hit-and-run, furnishing alcohol to minors, minors in possession of alcohol, resisting arrest, embezzlement, and identity theft.
The City's prosecutors collaborate with the community, police, and other law enforcement agencies to promote safety and justice. The Division is organized into seven units: Case Issuance Unit, General Trial Unit, Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit, Special Prosecutions Unit, Appellate Unit, Neighborhood Justice and Collaborative Courts Unit, and Prosecution Operations Unit. Prosecutors also work closely with Your Safe Place – the San Diego Family Justice Center, to ensure domestic violence victims have access to services necessary to keep them safe.
The Division also oversees the Community Justice Initiative and the collaborative courts program, which includes Behavioral Health Court, Mental Health Diversion, Veterans' Treatment Court, Military Diversion, Drug Court, and Homeless Court. As prosecutors dedicated to community justice, the Office is committed to advocating for the best solutions to safeguard public safety, including facilitating an offender's transition back into society through appropriate treatment and supervision. This integrated strategy aims to reduce the likelihood of recidivism, promoting a safer and fairer community for everyone.
The City Attorney's Office employs more than 180 lawyers and 230 support staff, with about 65 deputies and 95 support staff reporting to the Criminal and Community Justice Division Assistant City Attorney.
The position is unclassified, at-will, and serves at the pleasure of the City Attorney.
To Apply:
To learn more about the position, please visit the San Diego City Attorney's Office Career Page.
