Assistant District Attorney Job Description
An assistant district attorney, also called a deputy district attorney or prosecutor, is employed by a county but represents the people of the state where the county is located. The prosecutor files charges against suspected criminals and prosecutes them. He seeks jail or prison terms if the criminal, called a defendant, is found guilty. As public servants, assistant district attorneys can earn above $100,000 annually.
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Background
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Each county or region of a state in the United States has a District Attorney’s office to represent and prosecute people accused of crimes. These offices employ sometimes just a handful of prosecutors or up to hundreds, depending on the size of the county. Assistant district attorneys answer to the district attorney of the county. The district attorney is an elected official. Her subordinates are hired as county employees.
Duties
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An assistant district attorney evaluates a criminal case presented by a law enforcement agency to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute. If so, he files the charges in county criminal court. The assistant district attorney interviews victims and witnesses, prepares the case for trial and attends all pre-trial hearings. Additionally, the prosecutor advises and trains law enforcement personnel on many issues, including obtaining the necessary evidence to prosecute crimes. Prosecutors negotiate with defense attorneys to attempt to resolve the case before trial, according to Eduers.com.
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Education and Requirements
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An assistant district attorney must have a high school diploma or GED, Bachelor of Arts degree, preferably related to criminal justice, and a law degree. She must be a member of the state bar in good standing. The lawyer must have a solid academic background and possess the skills to litigate cases in court. No assistant district attorney can have a felony criminal record. Misdemeanor convictions may be subject to scrutiny and prevent employment or pose the risk of losing a job. Prosecutors are held to higher moral standards than the people they represent. Sterling character traits are required.This includes not associating with known criminals, frequenting places that attract criminals or engaging in any activity that can be construed as morally suspect.
Work Environment
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An assistant district attorney generally splits his time between his office and the courtroom. District Attorney offices are usually located in close proximity to the courthouse. Office hours are long, often beyond a 40-hour workweek. Prosecutors are often required to accompany law enforcement personnel into the field to examine crime scenes or execute a search warrant. Assistant district attorneys usually give field and classroom instruction to police officers in a classroom setting. They are sworn officers of the court and are likely on-call 24 hours a day.
Salary
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Salary depends on the size of the county and the county’s operating budget. Prosecutors can earn anywhere from an average of $50,000 to $80,000 annually. Prosecutors with 20 or more years experience or are in supervisory roles can earn in excess of $100,000 annually. The Queens District Attorney’s office in New York has a starting annual salary of $53,500. Assistant district attorney salaries in California range from $5,424 to $6,622 monthly.
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References
Resources
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