Description:
Overall Objective of Job: The Assistant District Attorney (ADA) is responsible for representing the Commonwealth in all criminal proceedings. Responsibilities include but are not limited to advising law enforcement and approval of criminal charges, preparing and prosecuting cases from preliminary hearing, pretrial proceedings, sentencing and post-conviction proceedings as well as other duties as assigned by the District Attorney.
Qualifications: Minimum requirements include good standing and admitted to practice before the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Essential Functions of Job:
- The Assistant District Attorney is responsible for all types of criminal prosecution from inception through postconviction and represents the Commonwealth in Probation/Parole Revocation, Forfeiture, Bail, Bench Warrant, Summary Appeals and ICC proceedings.
- The Assistant District Attorney is responsible for approval of criminal charges and search warrants including wire and telephone intercept. On-call duties once every eight weeks for a period of seven days for 24 hours each day.
- The Assistant District Attorney is responsible for ascertaining the facts, strength and weaknesses of case, review evidence and visiting crime scenes, which includes working closely with law enforcement, securing lay and expert testimony and preparing witnesses for trial.
- The Assistant District Attorney formulates trial strategy, determines sentence to be sought, conducts plea negotiations and researches applicable case law.
- The Assistant District Attorney reviews sentencing guidelines in preparing negotiated plea offers and referrals to diversionary programs or treatment courts.
- The Assistant District Attorney prepares and answers discovery requests, motions, petitions, briefs and argues the same before all levels of the judiciary as required.
- The Assistant District Attorney prepares for trials, motions and hearings, selects juries, conducts direct and cross examinations, argues objections, prepares and presents exhibits, opening and closing arguments.
- The Assistant District Attorney must communicate information on case status to all involved parties such as defense attorneys, law enforcement and victims.
- The Assistant District Attorney must be proficient at legal research and communication skills.
