Attorney V (60010450)

Not sure you meet all listed requirements? Let our team take a look. Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

THE STARTING SALARY FOR A NEW HIRE TO THIS POSITION IS LIMITED TO $116,147 to $130,266. Salary offers for the selected candidate are based on the candidate's education and experience related to the position, as well as our agency budget and equity.

The primary purpose of a Special Prosecutions attorney is to prepare and try criminal cases of every nature and complexity. The attorney assigned to a particular case must independently prepare and conduct the trial with high expertise. In addition to criminal jury trials, the attorneys in this section handle motions for appropriate relief of every nature and complexity. The most frequent cases generally arise when the local District Attorney has a conflict. These cases usually involve a lawyer, police officer, elected political official, a former client of the District Attorney, or staff member. The other types of cases this office typically handles are those of such complexity that the local District Attorney does not have the time or manpower to take the matter. Cases in this category include murder, sexual offense, "white collar" type crimes such as embezzlement, and false pretense. Major drug trafficking cases and wiretap prosecutions also fall under this category.

Attorney IVs in the Special Prosecutions Section are expected to be able to take on complex cases and carry a heavy caseload. The Attorney IV should be able to adequately manage litigation from start to finish, be a self-starter, and triage the many duties of the Section as needed. Also, all attorneys in the Section are assigned criminal appeals. Because of the primary purpose of Special Prosecutions, attorneys in the Section often handle criminal appeals involving serious felony offenses.

Because the attorneys in Special Prosecutions are considered subject matter experts in several fields, there are many speaking or teaching engagement requests and opinion requests (formal and informal) from district attorneys, judges, and law enforcement. Special Prosecutions responds to all criminal law questions from these agencies, as well as the General Assembly members, staff, and citizens.

Increased awareness of the availability of the Special Prosecution Section on the part of the District Attorneys has resulted in a consistent and growing caseload in which attorneys of this Section are requested to actively participate in the trial of often complex, unusual, or politically sensitive cases.

Some travel, including some overnight stays are required.

Selected candidate will undergo a background and records check.

Note to Current State Employees:

The salary grade for this position is LG10.  State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position.  Please detail ALL work history including non-state service experience.  If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY or MAY NOT result.

The State of North Carolina offers employer paid health insurance plus twelve paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at Employee Benefits. 

Division Information:

The Special Prosecutions and Law Enforcement Section supports and provides legal advice to District Attorneys and Law Enforcement across the State in addition to representing the State of North Carolina in both criminal and civil litigation.

Department Information:

• Ability to independently handle criminal and civil cases in the trial and appellate courts and represent the State of North Carolina in litigation in the State and Federal courts.
• Ability to independently prepare and prosecute criminal cases of all types and complexities.
• Ability to organize and digest complicated factual situations.
• Ability to coordinate and direct complicated criminal investigations.
• Ability to be sensitive to the feelings and needs of victims and victims’ families.
• Ability to use primary and secondary legal research and materials in technical and complex situations.
• Ability to speak authoritatively and to inspire confidence in stated judgments in the areas of criminal law and procedure, civil law and procedure, constitutional law, search and seizure, evidence and the exclusionary rule.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions.
  

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and five years of progressively responsible professional legal experience. NOTE: GS 114-2 and 114-6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.

Note the following: If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

Resumes and cover letters: To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form. This information is used to determine if you meet the requirements of the position, and if you are selected, it is used to determine a salary offer.

Using the terms "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will not be accepted, and your application will be rejected as incomplete.  Cover letters are highly encouraged but not required.    

Transcripts: Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. A copy of your transcripts indicating the degree received can be uploaded with your application. If a transcript has been requested, your application will be considered incomplete if you do not provide one. Using a photograph of your diploma is not acceptable.

Credit for foreign degrees will only be given if verification of degree certification is attached to your application.  Transcripts for foreign degrees have to be evaluated by an organization like World Education Services to determine US equivalency.

Any licenses or certificates must be included in the appropriate section of the application form.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 or discharge orders.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if you are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If you are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, you must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

Application status: To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take an average of 6 – 8 weeks.   All applicants will be notified by email once a position is filled.

If you are having technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting, other than your application status, please contact the NC DOJ Human Resources office.

The NC Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The NC Department of Justice uses Merit-Based Recruitment to select from among the most qualified applicants to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act.

CONTACT INFORMATION: