How to Become Assistant Commonwealth Attorney

Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys represent the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

When a crime is committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the people are represented by the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney for the county in which the crime was committed. There are offices in each county of Virginia and each office is charged with the duty of prosecuting the defendants. Each office has a Commonwealth's Attorney who is elected by the people and one or more Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys who are hired to act as additional prosecutors. If you wish to become a prosecuting attorney, you should become an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney.

Instructions

1. Receive a license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. To receive your law license, you must graduate from law school and pass the Virginia Bar Exam. While you do not need to go to law school in Virginia to become a lawyer in Virginia, you must pass the Virginia Bar Exam.

2. Search for available positions as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney. Available job positions as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney are located on the "Commonwealth Attorneys' Services Council" website. The locality, job title, salary, job start and listing closing dates, job description, special requirements and contact information are listed for each position. Write down the contact information listed in the job posting.

3. Submit your resume and cover letter to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney. Your application packet consists of your resume and cover letter, and you can submit it using the U.S. Postal Service or email. Contact the office prior to submitting your application and ask for the office's preferred method.

References

• Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council
• Commonwealth's Attorney: City of Alexandria