CLASS TITLE:
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY I, II, III & IV
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of the Assistant
District Attorney, DDA I & II prosecutes criminal cases in the municipal
and superior courts; DDA III & IV prosecutes complex criminal cases in the
municipal and superior courts. All
levels conduct jury trials representing the District Attorney's office; assist
in providing work direction to other attorneys.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Deputy District Attorney I incumbents
perform professional legal duties under close supervision including continual
review of assigned work. The Deputy
District Attorney II classification is an experienced level class, and incumbents
require only moderate supervision.
Deputy District Attorney III incumbents have achieved a level of
competence such that only minimal supervision is required. Deputy District Attorney IV is the advanced
level class in the series. Incumbents
operate under general direction and guidelines of the department and provide
training and technical expertise to others as assigned.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES – ALL LEVELS:
Review police reports to determine if criminal
complaints should be filed.
Evaluate cases assigned for prosecution; determine
appropriate charges and potential
motions; issue subpoenas; determine necessity for
appropriate dispositional offer;
determine most effective trial prosecution strategy.
Review files for each case; analyze merits of the
case and determine appropriate course
of action.
Appear in court regarding jury trials, probation
hearings, pre-trial conferences, readiness
conferences, sentencing and actual jury trials.
Interview witnesses; travel to crime site as
necessary; perform preliminary examinations
and conduct in-depth interviews of witnesses,
victims and others as necessary.
Prepare for court appearances requiring detailed
analysis of cases; develop questions
and formulate arguments and counter-arguments.
Coordinate witness participation; coordinate with representatives of
victim witness to
assist victims during criminal proceedings.
Issue complaints for misdemeanor and felony cases;
determine proper charges.
Perform extensive research regarding prosecution of
assigned cases.
Consult with expert witnesses in preparation for
trial; interact with outside agencies and
representatives regarding courtroom preparation.
Respond to legal inquiries from law enforcement
concerning criminal law issues.
Argue appropriate sentences of those convicted of
crimes; prepare statements regarding
sentencing as appropriate.
Review and approve search warrant affidavits
submitted by law enforcement agencies.
Provide vertical prosecution of selected serious
felonies including arraignment,
preliminary examination and binding over to superior
court for trial.
Read current case and statutory law to remain
current regarding criminal law issues.
Conduct criminal calendar in the Superior court
including motions, sentencing,
arraignment, and setting trial dates in statutory
period and pre-trial of cases.
Perform related duties as assigned.
ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIVE DUTY - DDA III INCLUDES:
Assist in providing
work direction to other attorneys; lead complex cases involving other
attorneys.
ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIVE DUTY - DDA IV INCLUDES:
Provide
technical expertise and work direction to other attorneys; lead complex and
controversial
cases involving other attorneys.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF - ALL LEVELS:
Principles and practices regarding the practice of
law in the State of
Law and procedures, sentencing practices and jury
response to specific issues.
Persuade others in the presentation of information
in the most favorable point view.
Criminal case law.
Laws such as County ordinances, State and federal
statutes, State and federal
constitutions and rules of court.
Technical aspects of field of specialty.
Record-keeping techniques.
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling,
punctuation and vocabulary.
Oral and written communication skills.
Public speaking techniques.
Research methods and report writing techniques.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and
courtesy.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF – DDA III & IV
INCLUDES:
Principals of training and providing work direction.
ABILITY TO – ALL LEVELS:
Prosecute criminals representing the District Attorney's office.
Represent the County's legal interest in a
persuasive manner.
Research legal issues, complaints, pleadings, and
points and authorities.
Counsel and advise the board of Supervisors, County
boards, commissions and
administrative bodies on legal matters.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Prepare and deliver oral presentations.
Work cooperatively with others.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective
working relationships with others.
Prioritize and schedule work.
Maintain current knowledge of program rules,
regulations, requirements and restrictions.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective
course of action.
Meet schedules and time lines.
Plan and organize work.
ADDITIONAL ABILITY TO – DDA III & IV INCLUDES:
Work independently with little direction.
Train and provide work direction to others.
Assign and review the work of others.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
DDA I; and all levels require any
combination equivalent to consistent with requirements to be licensed by the
State of
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Office environment; subject to
driving a vehicle to conduct work.
Physical abilities required include
seeing to drive a vehicle, and speaking to exchange information and make
presentations.
Incumbents may be exposed to contact
with hostile or abusive individuals.