Description:
Position Overview:Under the direction of the elected County Attorney and the Chief Criminal Deputy, this position serves as the managing attorney for the County Attorney's Justice Court team. The Deputy Chief is responsible for directing the prosecution of misdemeanor cases and lower-level felony cases. The Deputy Chief may also carry a felony or misdemeanor caseload as assigned by the Chief Criminal Deputy or County Attorney.
The position provides subject-matter leadership; mentors, trains, and supervises the attorneys assigned to the Justice Court Team; develops and enforces internal protocols for charging and case handling; and represents the office in interagency coalitions. The Deputy Chief operates with a high degree of autonomy in assigned subject areas but remains subordinate to the Chief Criminal Deputy and the elected County Attorney, who retains ultimate prosecutorial authority.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Division Leadership & Case Oversight — Justice Court Team
- Direct the planning, case strategy, and performance of the Justice Court Team to ensure consistent, ethical, and trauma-informed prosecution of misdemeanors and lower-level felony cases.
- Act as mentor and trainer for new attorneys and interns, sit second chair to train and support newer Justice Court attorneys in trial.
- Sit first or second chair in high-impact or complex prosecutions at the direction of the County Attorney.
- Conduct weekly staffing with Justice Court attorneys and interns to evaluate provability, plea posture, victim input, and trial readiness.
Attorney Supervision, Mentorship & Training
- Coordinate, train and educate newly hired Deputy County Attorneys as well as second-year law student prosecutors and Clinical law students practicing under the Montana Student Practice Rule.
- Provide direction, mentoring, and performance coaching to Justice Court team, victim advocates, and assigned investigators.
- Participate in hiring, promotion, discipline, and termination decisions for attorneys within the Justice Court team. Final decisions remain at the discretion of the County Attorney.
- Train prosecutors and justice partners on the prosecution of misdemeanor cases, trauma-informed practice, and appropriate evidentiary standards.
Legal Practice & Courtroom Execution
Ensure compliance with prosecutorial obligations, including:
- Court preparedness, decorum, and punctuality
- Victim communication per Marsy's Law and MCA Title 46
- Discovery compliance under Brady, Giglio, MCA 46-15-322
- Ethical charging decisions are grounded in probable cause, proportionality and likelihood of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt at trial
- Lawful and ethical trial preparation, witness management, and argument
- Well written motions, responses and briefs
- Exceptional trial work and advocacy
- Maintenance of complete and orderly case files and documentation of decisions
- Uphold the constitutional duty to seek justice, not merely to convict
Policy, Risk, Legislative & Interagency Leadership
- Develop, recommend, and implement office policies and procedures relating to prosecution of misdemeanors and lower-level felony cases, victim response, and prevention strategies.
- Monitor legal and legislative developments affecting local crime and advise the County Attorney on operational impacts.
- Represent the County Attorney's Office in meetings with County officials, legislators, task forces, and the public on matters related to misdemeanors and lower-level felony cases.
Professional Standards
- Maintain Montana Bar licensure and complete prosecutorial CLE requirements.
- Remain current on evolving best practices in the prosecution of domestic violence, sexual assault, DUI, and drug related offenses, among others.
- In-office presence is required; remote work is not authorized for Chief-level positions.
Education & Experience:
This position requires a degree from an accredited law school, the ability to achieve active membership in the State Bar of Montana within 6 months, and at least 5 years' experience in prosecution or litigation.
Supplemental Information:
Applicants for this position must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the County's liability policies.
To be considered, the following attachments must be uploaded to your online application: Cover letter, Resume, 3 (three) professional references, Legal writing sample.
Gallatin County does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.