Deputy District Attorney II - Emergency Appointment

DEFINITION:
Performs legal work of average complexity required in the prosecution of criminal cases.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
In addition to the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a Deputy District Attorney I, positions allocable to this class are characterized by the performance of the legal tasks involved in prosecuting criminal actions including a wide variety of misdemeanor cases and moderately complex felony cases for the District Attorney. These complex cases may include challenging legal and/or factual issues and may involve numerous defendants.  Assignments at this level differ from Deputy District Attorney I in that the attorneys in this class function more independently, but continue to receive supervision from higher-level attorney personnel in the performance of their duties.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Prepares and prosecutes the more complex misdemeanor cases taken to trial.

Prepares and prosecutes felony cases of moderate complexity in a department of the Superior Court.

Utilizes computer based legal research systems and office technology in the preparation of cases.

Prepares and conducts complex preliminary hearings.

Reviews and makes decisions as to matters presented for filing consideration, which may include the following responsibilities:  the careful reading of investigative reports; questioning law enforcement personnel; determining whether a crime was committed by an identified suspect, which may also involve an interpretation of statutory and/or decisional authorities; reviewing and applying available criminal histories; recommending a bail setting; and preparing a statement of facts.

Conducts negotiations with defense attorneys regarding the disposition and/or modification of charges.

Confers with witnesses, law enforcement officers, self-represented defendants, defense attorneys, and other interested parties.

Files, prepares and presents cases against minors in juvenile court.

Advises investigators and law enforcement officers on the legal aspects of their work.

Leads law clerks in the presentation of preliminary hearings as needed. 

SELECTION  REQUIREMENTS:

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Two years of criminal trial experience as a full time trial attorney in a public agency. 

LICENSE:
All Applicants must be admitted to the California State Bar Association to practice law in the State of California. 
A legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of an active California State Bar Card (CSBC). The CSBC must indicate the current year (2025). If the watermark of the current year is not visible, your application will be rejected.

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:

*All supporting documentation must be submitted along with your application or via email to exams@da.lacounty.gov within five (5) calendar days from the last day of filing. Failure to submit within five (5) calendar days from the last day of filing, will disqualify you from participating in this examination. We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

You MUST meet the above requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

No withholds will be allowed for this examination. Required experience must be fully met and indicated on the application at the time of filing.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience conducting trials
• Experience conducting preliminary hearings
• Experience preparing and arguing Penal Code 1538.5 and Penal Code 995 motions
• Experience preparing appellate briefs or motions
• Criminal Trial experience in a City, County, State or Federal prosecuting agency

• Any criminal charges or convictions
• Job related misdemeanor convictions
• Certain serious traffic convictions or patterns of traffic violations such as three (3) moving violations in one year; failure to appear; at-fault accidents; applicant placed on a three (3) year probation
• Poor credit history 
• Poor employment history 
• Substance abuse 
• Driving under the influence 

EXAMINATION CONTENT:

Before the end of your initial work assignment, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

APPLICATION & FILING INFORMATION:

Applications must be filed online only and will be reviewed for interview consideration on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment remains open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes.  Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: 

For applicants who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Refer to their website for more information: http://lacountylibrary.org

NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD
 All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Questions? Please contact us:

Department Contact Name: Exams Unit
Exam Number: A9272I-FR
Department Contact Phone:(213) 257-2700
Department Contact Email:exams@da.lacounty.gov
ADA Coordinator Phone: (213) 257-2700
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2929
Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Employment Information

Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.

This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.

Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.

Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.

Revised January 2025