How to Become a Commonwealth's Attorney

According to the Virginia Judicial System, a commonwealth's attorney is "the name of the public officer who is elected in each city or county to conduct criminal prosecution on behalf of the state." The commonwealth's attorney is responsible for prosecuting felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases. Toward that end, the commonwealth's attorney hires lawyers to prosecute cases and a staff to provide support to prosecutors and victims of crimes. Commonwealth's attorneys are licensed and and are elected to the position, and must undergo years of education and legal practice.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Obtain a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate.

2. Attend and graduate from a reputable four-year university and earn a bachelor's degree or higher. Contrary to popular belief, you will not have to major in political science or criminal justice. So long as you actively participate in your school/community and earn good grades, you are on your way to becoming a commonwealth's attorney.

3. Pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). A standardized test administered by the Law School Admissions Council, the LSAT is a prerequisite for admission into an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school.

4. Graduate from an ABA approved law school. Take multiple criminal law classes, including a trial advocacy course, during your tenure. You should also complete internships within the legal field.

5. Obtain a license to practice law in the state of your choice. Most states require a passing score on the state law exam and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). Required in all but four jurisdictions, the MPRE tests future lawyers' knowledge of their ethical restrictions and responsibilities.

6. Find a job as an attorney in the criminal law field, preferably as a prosecutor.

7. Build a reputation for yourself in the courtroom. Practice law diligently, responsibly, professionally, and honestly. Treat all individuals, including defendants and witnesses, with respect. As a future elected official, you must remember that your professional past and treatment of the general public will be open to scrutiny.

8. Network with professional and community service groups. Networking enables you to meet others in your field and prove that you are a civic-minded individual.

9. Avoid being convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, or traffic violations. You should especially avoid felony convictions and convictions for crimes that include lying, cheating, stealing, or violence.

10. Research and run for the office of commonwealth's attorney. Each jurisdiction will have its own laws governing the requirements of commonwealth's attorneys. For example, you may be required to live in the jurisdiction that you are running to protect.

References

• Virginia Judicial System
• American Bar Association Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia

Resources

• American Bar Association

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