Deputy District Attorney - District Court (Appeals)

This position will remain open until filled. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (serving Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Lincoln County and Elbert County) has an exciting opportunity to join the team.
 
We offer a generous benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401K matching, paid holidays and PTO.
 
This is an opportunity to join the Appellate Division of the District Attorney’s Office for the largest district in Colorado. We serve Arapahoe, Douglas, Lincoln, and Elbert counties, and are located within easy access to the Denver Metro Area and Front Range. The primary objective of our office is to seek justice. While we are tough on crime, we are also dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of crime victims and preventing crime. The office serves as a driving force for many initiatives and preventative programs that work to reduce crime, protect victims, and enhance the lives of district residents.
 
The Appellate Division handles the appeals in the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court, provides legal research and assistance to trial deputies, handles extradition requests, clemency and post-trial petitions, reviews requests for documents under Colorado’s open records laws, and provides training on legal issues affecting law enforcement and trial deputies.
 
The salary range for this position is $82,365.66 - $131,570.14
 
Additionally, the 18th Judicial District also provides: 
Career Advancement Opportunities
Trainings / Continuing Education
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Opportunities for those who qualify.

GENERAL DUTIES:
(The following essential job functions and examples of duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive; positions assigned to this class may not perform all the duties listed.)
 

• Researches and writes legal briefs and arguments in misdemeanor appeals to the District Court, DMV   driver’s license revocation appeals in the District Court.
• Prosecution-initiated felony appeals in the Colorado Court of Appeals 
• The Colorado Supreme Court, certiorari appeals, and C.A.R. 21 appeals in the Colorado Supreme Court.  
• Conducts appellate oral arguments. 
• Assists trial deputies with legal research and analysis and assists with motions issues in their cases. 
• Assists as needed with extradition matters, responses to sealing petitions, requests for release of criminal justice and administrative records, post-conviction petitions, and other matters as needed.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• General knowledge and ability to gain extensive knowledge of the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Professional Conduct; ability to research, write, and apply those rules to each assignment within the Appellate Division. 
• Considerable knowledge (and ability to gain detailed knowledge) of the Colorado Revised Statutes and case law related to criminal law and appellate procedure.  
• Ability to research and draft legal briefs and communicate both orally and in writing.   
• Ability to research and analyze legal issues, assess and describe facts, decipher relevant information, and apply facts to cases. 
• Excellent organizational skills and able to work under a deadline.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, fellow employees, court officials, police and the public. 
• Knowledge of the judicial system and its rules of procedure and evidence.
• Ability to effectively prosecute appeals while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants; ability to assess arguments for strengths versus weaknesses to determine just and ethical dispositions that are within policies promulgated by the District Attorney.
• Ability to recognize situations warranting potential policy/procedure exceptions; ability to effectively advocate for alternative resolutions.  
• Ability to gain considerable knowledge of software programs and legal research applicable to the assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, defense attorneys, pro se defendants, victims, witnesses, judges, court staff, law enforcement and related agencies' personnel, press/media reporters, and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.

• Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. 
• Significant demonstrated experience in the specialty area of this position in the Appeals Unit is preferred.  
• Criminal prosecution experience is preferred.

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado. 

COMPLEXITY/RESPONSIBILITY: 

• Work in this position is accomplished through the application of legal theory, applicable state statutes, county ordinances, and case law, requires considerable legal and factual analysis on a wide variety of issues.

• Contacts are with supervisors, co-workers, defense attorneys, pro-se defendants, victims, witnesses, judges, juries, court staff, law enforcement and related agencies' personnel, press/media reporters, and the general public and involve the giving and receiving of legal, factual, and theoretical information; 
• explanations of complex legal theories, factual patterns, constitutional /statutory /ordinance /case law requirements and interpretations are required of the position to persons with widely varying levels of legal education and understanding. 

• Work is generally performed in a standard office setting and requires no more than normal physical abilities.