Assistant Commonwealth Attorney

Description

The Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney performs professional legal work prosecuting criminal suspects on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The incumbent is responsible for legal research in the preparation of criminal trials; prosecuting jury and bench trials in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases; negotiating plea agreements; and preparing Appellate Court and other legal briefs and motions as necessary. The incumbent is also responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to public officials, law enforcement officials, victims of crime, and the general public. The incumbent must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in determining the proper course of action in a variety of legal cases and situations. The incumbent must also exercise tact, courtesy, and discretion in frequent contact with crime victims, suspects, law enforcement, judicial officials, public officials, and the general public.

Examples of Duties

1. Prepares misdemeanor and felony criminal cases for trial;
2. Presents cases in court and makes motions and recommendations to the court. Conducts preliminary hearings, bench trials, jury trials, misdemeanor appeals, sentencing hearings, and revocation hearings;
3. Performs case management functions, such as screening cases for prosecution, determining proper charges to be filed, preparing case documents, and preparing orders. Negotiates plea agreements as appropriate;
4. Performs legal research and prepares memorandums of law pertaining to assigned criminal cases;
5. Prepares cases for forfeiture proceedings and presents forfeiture cases in court;
6. Represents the Commonwealth in petitions for restoration of driver’s licenses, restoration of gun rights, and expungements;
7. Prosecutes cases in other jurisdictions as a special prosecutor as necessary;
8. Prepares necessary legal documents for filing of pleadings by drafting complaints, orders to show cause, preliminary motions, supporting affidavits, briefs, and related legal documents;
9. Provides legal advice/updates to law enforcement;
10. Interviews witnesses and victims. Confers with law enforcement and judicial personnel. Negotiates with defense attorneys. Prepares victims, witnesses, and law enforcement for trial;
11. Attends meetings, seminars, and other training functions to provide or receive information and remain abreast of current legal opinions and related issues;
12. Serves in the absence of the Commonwealth’s Attorney as required or as allowed by law;
13. Performs other related duties as assigned;
14. Observes all approved safety and health policies and procedures pertaining to an employee’s work activities and performs all work tasks in a safe and healthy manner in accordance with County policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Requires the use of fingers, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Required Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires a Juris Doctorate degree
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in the practice of criminal preferred, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:
Requires a Virginia Bar License.