Assistant District Attorney I

Compensation Range:

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office is seeking persons interested in prosecuting crimes in our Special Victims Unit to include child abuse and domestic violence prosecutions. Pay is commensurate with experience. Our Special Victims Unit attorneys prosecute sexual assaults, crimes against young children and domestic violence cases. Members of this unit strive to seek justice for society's most vulnerable victims. An attorney in this unit becomes involved with police and a victim / witness advocate at the earliest stages of an investigation. Their prior approval is required before certain charges may be filed. These attorneys will then follow that case through the court system.

An Assistant District Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of a wide array of criminal offenses and handles all phases of a prosecution from pre-investigation through post-sentence appeals.  It is the duty of an Assistant District Attorney to seek justice. In doing so, an Assistant District Attorney is responsible for evaluating cases, taking into consideration resources, strength of the evidence, severity of the crime, any impact on victims and the community and policy considerations. Compensation is subject to collective bargaining. 

Essential Job Functions

Conduct Preliminary Hearing blocks.

-Screen assigned cases for discovery, plea offer, pretrial litigation, and trial presentation.

-Conduct pretrial hearings, jury and bench trials, juvenile hearings and post-trial hearings.

-Conduct summary conviction appeals, current business sessions, guilty pleas, and bench warrants.

-Prepare pretrial, post-trial and appellate briefs and memoranda of law.    

Other Specific Tasks

Advise law enforcement officers on cases, charges and law.

-Verify Rule 600 status of each assigned case.

-Act as Duty DA to be on call for the office on a rotating basis.

-Assist in the training of all new Assistant District Attorneys

-Provide trainings to police or others as requested by DA.

-Complete continuing legal education in order to maintain license to practice law.

-Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

-Juris Doctorate degree

-Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of PA

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities

An Assistant District Attorney is a trial attorney and must possess analytical abilities, communication skills, a working knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as an understanding of the current state of the law, Pennsylvania crimes code, rules of criminal procedure and possess a presence in the courtroom.   

Required Licenses/Certifications/Clearances

License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Successfully meet the requirements of the criminal history background check.

Compliance with the County's "authorized" driver guidelines.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Work is sedentary in nature. Expect in the context of driving a motor vehicle in the course of employment, there are no specific physical demands.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.