Closing Date: 10th May, 2024

Description:

Job Summary:
A Government Entity seeks an experienced trial attorney for the Juvenile Section of its Public Safety Division. The Juvenile Section handles most juvenile prosecutions in the District of Columbia. The Section has jurisdiction to charge a juvenile for any criminal offense under the D.C. Code, Federal Code, or D.C. Municipal Regulations. Section attorneys work closely with other juvenile justice stakeholders to make appropriate charging decisions, interact with victims and witnesses, evaluate appropriate dispositions for involved juveniles, and litigate appropriate cases in the Superior Court's Family Division.

Duties and Responsibilities:
As an experienced trial attorney in the Juvenile Section, the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) will handle more complex and difficult matters. The AAG reviews the information presented and evaluates relevant case laws to determine whether the OAG will initiate a Family Court proceeding. The AAG review includes interviewing agency officials and other potential witnesses, evaluating available documents, viewing video evidence, and analyzing other information provided by law enforcement and other sources.

Trial attorneys engage in all aspects of criminal litigation, including interviewing and preparing police and civilian witnesses for trial, making charging decisions, researching legal issues, writing and litigating motions, and managing all aspects of a trial calendar from intake through sentencing, and conducting community outreach.

The successful candidate will be responsible for evaluating juvenile cases to determine if the OAG should file charges, if the juvenile is appropriate for diversion, if detention is needed to protect the community, and if a probable cause hearing is required.
The successful candidate will manage a caseload generally involving more complex cases but may include less significant cases as necessary. The successful candidate will be responsible for complying with discovery obligations, including Rule 16, Brady, and Jencks, as required by law. Discovery obligations also include review and disclosure of relevant body-worn camera recordings, video surveillance, and information pertaining to officer and witness credibility and bias.
The successful candidate will also be responsible for evaluating juvenile cases to determine the appropriateness of plea offers. The AAG will be responsible for determining available services and making plea offers to hold youth accountable for delinquent acts and to aid in their rehabilitation.
The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing felony and misdemeanor juvenile cases for trial. This includes reviewing the case file to determine what evidence is discoverable, gathering evidence to use at trial, subpoenaing victims and witnesses for trial, and preparing victims and witnesses to testify.
The successful candidate will be responsible for presenting cases in court. This includes presenting opening statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations, and presenting closing arguments. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting legal research, writing motions, and arguing motions in court.
The successful candidate will also be responsible for making recommendations to the court pertaining to the placement of youth, disposition of youth, and implementation and termination of court-ordered services. The candidate will be responsible for running a court docket.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education:
The successful candidate must have at least four years of relevant related specialized experience, including one year of specialized experience equivalent to LA-13. The candidate must have substantive knowledge of District and federal law, excellent oral and written communication skills, and outstanding legal research skills. The candidate must also be organized and possess the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain working relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Previous experience prosecuting violent felonies, including murder, is desired.

Eligibility: The successful candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.