Deputy District Attorney

Deputy District Attorney I
Full Salary Range: $84,220-$126,430

Deputy District Attorney II
Full Salary Range: $96,140-$144,250

Deputy District Attorney III

Full Salary Range: $110,180-$165,340
Deputy District Attorney $5,000 Sign-On Bonus + $1,000 Moving Expense description image

Provides legal representation on behalf of the People in the Fourth Judicial District courts. Qualified candidates may be offered a Deputy District Attorney (DDA) I, DDA II, or DDA III position.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Responsible for reviewing each criminal file, including police reports, evidence, witness statements, criminal histories, and victim input when appropriate. Based upon this evaluation, determines an appropriate plea offer. All plea offers must be consistent with the office's mission. Dispositional offers should be based on a reasonable assessment of the seriousness of the offense, the evidentiary strengths and weaknesses of the case, the criminal history of the defendant, the impact on the victim(s), the impact on the community and other relevant factors.
• Conducts plea negotiations with pro se defendants and defense counsel, considering all relevant information provided by the defendant or their counsel in light of the case analysis conducted prior to negotiations. Ensures adherence to office protocol, policies, and procedures.
• Prepares for and effectively manage the assigned court dockets, ensuring familiarity with the facts and procedural status of all cases on the docket. Completes all necessary tasks pending from previous court hearings before the next court date.
• Ensures that the docket has been effectively processed upon returning from court, including following up with staff, law enforcement, victims, or other necessary parties. Provides clear direction to legal support staff, paralegals, and investigators and assigns tasks as appropriate.
• Skillfully researches and drafts legal pleadings necessary for the successful prosecution of cases. Identifies any issues requiring written motions; drafts clear and concise motions; ensures motions and responses are filed with the Court in a timely manner.
• Effectively prepares for and conducts court and jury trials. Organizes case information for persuasive presentation in court. Prepares witnesses for trial testimony. Prepares exhibits, effectively utilizing visual aids, including PowerPoint presentations, at any appropriate stage of the trial. Ensures preparation for all stages of trial, including jury selection, opening statement, direct examination questions, cross-examination questions, closing argument, objections, and evidence foundation questions. Displays a competent use of the Rules of Evidence.
• Ensures compliance with all Victims' Rights mandates and requirements, including victim notification and/or consultation at all critical stages of the case.
• Assists and supports personnel to accomplish the common goals and mission of the office. Identifies opportunities to provide information and guidance to other staff and peers.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current Colorado criminal statutes and relevant case law. Attends or reviews Colorado Case Law Updates and Legislative Updates annually and intra-office case law updates weekly. Effectively applies this working knowledge of the statutes and case law to the facts in each case that is prosecuted.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised: This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles of constitutional law, substantive criminal law, and procedural criminal law.
• Knowledge of relevant laws pertaining to the presentation of evidence.
• Adherence to ethical and professional standards.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal opinions, professional journals, and legal statutes.
• Ability to write opinions, legal motions, legal briefs, and general correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information to and respond to questions from judges, defense counsel, witnesses, victims, law enforcement, and the public.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Must speak, read, and write in English fluently; secondary language beneficial.
• Competence in:
• Conducting criminal trials, including jury selection, preparation, presentation, and cross-examination of witnesses.
• Jury selection, preparation, presentation, and cross-examination of witnesses.
• Presenting and arguing instructions of law to courts and juries.
• Effectively arguing cases before juries.
• Drafting and responding to legal motions.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment with established guidelines.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with an appropriate level of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve complicated problems or accomplish complex tasks.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in written form.
• Directing, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

Required Education & Experience:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
• DDA II: Advanced competency in the misdemeanor and traffic jury trial process.
• DDA III: Advanced competency in the felony jury trial process, advanced prosecution experience in major cases including crimes against persons, homicide trial experience, participation in mentoring less experienced attorneys, acting as a liaison for law enforcement agencies, and conduct at least one training that qualifies for CLE units.

Licenses/Certificates

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Pre-Employment Requirements:
Must pass conditional post offer background investigation and reference check.

Work Conditions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The classification specification above is intended to describe the general nature of work, key responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline experience required for the classification. Departments may establish additional or preferred qualifications to address operational needs, assignment complexity, and specialized functions, provided such qualifications are job-related, consistent with the intent of the classification, and as approved by the Human Resources department. Specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and working conditions may vary based on the department or office's needs and the requirements of the assigned position. Changes to this classification specification may only be made by the Human Resources Department.