Commonwealth Attorney Deputy

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Commonwealth's Attorney Office is committed to transformative justice in the promotion of effective victim services, evidence-based diversion programs, and racial justice. Working in a major metropolitan area's prosecutor's office offers an attorney a broad spectrum of experience and provides ample opportunities for collaboration, discussion, and comradery. The crimes prosecuted range from DUI to aggravated assaults, complex fraud investigations, rapes, and murders. The Office is responsible for both adult and juvenile prosecutions.

Arlington County's Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is seeking to fill the Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney. This Deputy will perform a wide range of prosecutorial duties, including evaluating the merits of criminal cases, preparing them for trial, and advocating in the best interests of the Commonwealth. This incumbent supervises the work of entry and mid-level Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys and advises senior Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys on legal issues arising during criminal prosecutions. 

 

Specific duties include:

 

• Making appearances in all levels of court, as assigned; 
• Drafting pleadings, indictments, briefs, and memoranda;
• Managing an assigned caseload and overseeing all aspects of the criminal prosecution;
• Advising law enforcement agencies on issues arising during criminal investigations; 
• Coordinating with Victim Witness Program staff to assist victims and witnesses of crime;
• Overseeing the preparation and presentation of indictments to the Grand Jury; 
• Delivering presentations to community groups on behalf of the Commonwealth's Attorney; 
• Assisting the Chief Deputy with scheduling court assignments and assigning cases; 
• Developing and delivering training to staff and law enforcement officers; 
• Participating in the recruitment and hiring of legal and non-legal staff; and
• Monitoring and providing guidance to, and evaluating the performance of, legal and non-legal staff. 

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Experienced at managing a case load, preparing and presenting complex cases before a trial court in a short period of time, and preparing legal briefs to trial and appellate courts; 
• Comprehensive knowledge of Virginia criminal and traffic laws, Virginia criminal procedures, and Virginia and Federal constitutional issues and local rules of court; 
• Ability to perform intricate and rapid legal research; 
• Knowledge of efficient office procedures; 
• Ability to communicate effectively with law enforcement personnel, expert witnesses, lay witnesses, and with victim and witnesses; and 
• Supervisory experience or experience leading a team.

Minimum qualifications:

 

• Completed the requirements for graduation with a Juris Doctor from an accredited school of law; 
• Significant, senior and professional-level experience as a practicing trial lawyer handling complex, high-profile and /or sensitive felony and misdemeanor cases in a courtroom setting with at least two years of experience prosecuting criminal cases; and 
• Must be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar. 

Desirables: Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the following areas:

• Handling multiple complex, high-profile and /or sensitive criminal felony and misdemeanor cases in a courtroom setting;
• Providing guidance and training to legal staff and/or law enforcement agencies on issues arising during criminal prosecutions;
• Establishing efficient office procedures in a legal setting; 
• Overseeing the work of other Attorneys in handling of criminal prosecutions; 
• Developing and delivering training to para-legal and legal staff and law enforcement officers; and/or
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) proficiency.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A pre-hire background check will be made on all candidates who are selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Work hours: Full-time, Monday through Friday with flexibility for occasional evening and weekend hours as needed.

THE OFFICE OF COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER THAT IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our agency. We encourage all to apply and make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. 

Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached, however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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