Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney I

Description

Application Deadline: 12/01/2023 at 5:00pm EST.

TO APPLY: to view the complete job information and to apply, visit our employment website listed. Applications are only accepted online through the City of Charlottesville employment page and must be submitted prior to the listed closing date and time.

The Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney I is responsible for the prosecution of routine criminal felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases. Under the direct supervision of the Deputy and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney II’s, the position determines the method of prosecution including potential case negotiations, plea agreements, and sentencing requests; prepares for court by researching legal issues, reviewing facts, studying scientific reports, and interviewing witnesses; prepares related papers including appellate briefs; maintains contact with the public, and with those involved in the case. The Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney I works under the general direction of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney II’s.

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $63,038.57 – $97,091.00 Annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City’s retirement options, gym membership reimbursement (up to $34 a month), tuition reimbursement (up to $3,000 per fiscal year), and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the ‘benefits’ tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City’s Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

General Legal:

• For all Assistant Commonwealth Attorney I positions:
  • Primarily responsible for misdemeanor dockets and bond hearings;
  • Determines method of and prepares for the prosecution of routine criminal cases;
  • Prosecutes routine criminal cases;
  • Researches legal issues and maintains familiarity with local, state, and federal laws;
  • Maintains contact with the public, with victims and witnesses, and with law enforcement officers;
  • Provides legal research support to senior prosecutors;
  • Represent the office in a variety of settings including but not limited to: Jefferson Area Elder Abuse Jefferson Area Coalition to End Elder Abuse (JACEEA), Mental Health Treatment Court, and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Crisis Review Team.
• For the Juvenile and Domestic Violence Prosecutor specialty position:
  • Prosecutes domestic violence cases in Juvenile and Domestic Relations General District Court. These cases include both felony and misdemeanor cases involving domestic partners. Typical misdemeanor cases include domestic assault and battery, violation of a protective order, stalking. Typical felony cases include malicious wounding, strangulation, abduction, and child neglect;
  • Represent the Commonwealth at daily bond hearings in Juvenile Court;
  • Make decisions about detention, bail considerations and appropriate release terms including contact terms. These decisions must be made with an awareness of existing protective orders that are in place as well as Child Protective Services (CPS) safety plan terms;
  • Act as Commonwealth liaison for allied partners (ReadyKids, Foothills Child Advocacy Center, Sexual Assault Resource Agency, Shelter for Help in Emergency) and other City agencies (CPS, DSS, APS, City Attorney Office);
  • Specifically, must be able to respond to Child Protective Services and Charlottesville Police Department questions and issues immediately on a daily basis regarding joint investigations, the appropriateness of forensic interviews, and proper investigative avenue;

For the Juvenile and Domestic Violence Prosecutor specialty position:

• Meetings:
  • Act as Commonwealth representative for the Monticello Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and Multi-Disciplinary Team for child abuse and neglect cases;
• Trainings:
  • Conduct roll call trainings on at least an annual basis on identifying the predominant aggressor for domestic assault and battery cases and strangulation
  • Conduct roll call trainings on at least an annual basis with CPS to train police on mandated reporting and child abuse/neglect cases and investigations
  • Conduct trainings related to domestic violence and sexual assault annually for Sexual Assault Resource Agency hotline volunteer;
  • Conduct training for forensic nurses on how to testify in court as both fact and expert witnesses, conduct mock trial, teaching how to be prepared for possible objections, and explain the court system;

For all Assistant Commonwealth Attorney I positions:

Trial:

• Prosecutes a variety of misdemeanor and felony cases;
• Prepares and argues pre-trial and post-trial motions;
• Prepares exhibits and evidence for trial;
• Examines and cross-examines witnesses;
• Delivers opening and closing arguments and argues admissibility of evidence;
• Chooses and prepares jury instructions;
• Determines trial tactics;
• Argues sentencing in misdemeanor and felony cases;
• Prosecutes violations of good behavior and probation

Witnesses:

• Consults with police, victims, witnesses, and concerned citizens about the disposition of criminal cases and trial testimony;

Police:

• Directs and coordinates the work of patrol officers in the investigation of matters being prepared for prosecution, providing guidance on search and seizure issues, the constitutionality of police actions, and planning and conducing regular police trainings on a variety of issues;
• Visits crime scenes; studies scientific analyses and other investigative reports and memoranda;

Supervision:

• Ability to supervise and work with summer and academic year law student interns.

Performs other related duties as required or assigned by the Commonwealth’s Attorney or designee.

Education, Experience and Skills

Required with the online application: Cover letter, Resume, and 3 Professional references. 
(Applications without these elements will not be considered. Although a resume required, it is not a substitute for completing the required information on the application.)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of the requirements for graduation with a JD in law from an accredited college or university. Applicants who sat for the July 2023 Bar examination may be considered; however, no formal offer of employment will be made until notice of bar licensure has been received.
•  Minimum three (3) years of experience as a criminal trial attorney or one (1) year as a prosecutor (judicial clerkships, any externships, or clinical placements with prosecutor’s offices may count towards the one year).

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Values Diversity at All Levels of its Workforce.