Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney I, II or III

General Description: This position serves at the will of the Commonwealth's Attorney. The position performs complex tasks in prosecuting felony and misdemeanor matters before Circuit, General District, and Domestic Relations Courts. While the following is a general description of the functions of this position, it should be noted that it is dependent upon the position holder to perform all necessary duties to accomplish the core goal of effectively prosecuting criminal cases, regardless of whether such duties are specifically enumerated.

Organization: The Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney position is part of Hanover County's Career Development Program (CD). The Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Ladder has four (4) levels ranging from Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney I to Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney IV.

Essential Functions - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney I

• Prepares and conducts trials in the Circuit, General District, and Juvenile Courts on behalf of Commonwealth.
• Interviews witnesses and prepares cases for motions, hearings, and trials.
• Performs legal research and prepares briefs, motions, and responses.
• Conducts legal training for law enforcement agencies.
• Advises law enforcement on legal issues. 
• Functions as a liaison to various state and local agencies.
• Performs special assignments as directed by supervising attorneys, the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney and/or the Commonwealth’s Attorney. 

 Essential Functions - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney II

• Prepares and conducts trials in the Circuit, General District, and Juvenile Courts on behalf of Commonwealth. 
• Interviews witnesses and prepares cases for motions, hearings, and trials.
• Performs legal research and prepares briefs, motions, and responses.
• Conducts legal training for law enforcement agencies.
• Advises law enforcement on legal issues. 
• Functions as a liaison to various state and local agencies.
• Trains support staff and Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney I.
• May serve as direct contact for law enforcement in specific area of criminal offenses, e.g. vice, animal control, serious traffic.
• Assigned specific criminal cases of a complex nature. 
• Performs special assignments as directed by supervising attorneys, the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney and/or the Commonwealth’s Attorney. 

Essential Functions - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney III

• Prepares and conducts trials in the Circuit, General District, and Juvenile Courts on behalf of Commonwealth. 
• Interviews witnesses and prepares cases for motions, hearings, and trials. 
• Performs legal research and prepares briefs, motions, and responses.
• Conducts legal training for law enforcement agencies.
• Advises law enforcement on legal issues. 
• Functions as a liaison to various state and local agencies.
• Trains Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney I, II, and support staff.
• May serve as direct contact for law enforcement in specific area of criminal offenses, e.g. vice, animal control, serious traffic.
• Leads subordinate attorneys and staff on specific subject matter teams. 
• Assigned specific serious criminal cases of a complex nature.  
• Performs special assignments as directed by supervising attorneys, the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney and/or the Commonwealth’s Attorney. 

Essential Functions - Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney IV

• Prepares and conducts trials in the Circuit, General District, and Juvenile Courts on behalf of Commonwealth. 
• Interviews witnesses and prepares cases for motions, hearings, and trials. 
• Performs legal research and prepares briefs, motions, and responses.
• Conducts legal training for law enforcement agencies.
• Functions as a liaison to various state and local agencies.
• Trains Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney I, II, III and support staff.
• May serve as direct contact for law enforcement in specific area of criminal offenses, e.g. vice, animal control, serious traffic.
• Leads subordinate attorneys and staff on specific subject matter teams. 
• Assigned specific serious criminal cases of a more complex nature.  
• Assists subordinate attorneys in court and provides feedback and assistance where needed. 
• Second-chairs serious cases with subordinate attorneys. 
• Performs special assignments as directed by supervising attorneys, the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney and/or the Commonwealth’s Attorney. 

Working Conditions:

• Hazards
  1. May interact with citizens in sensitive and emotional situations
  2. May experience vicarious/secondary trauma 
• Environment
  1. Office
• Physical Effort
  1. Minimal
• FLMA
  1. Exempt

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to organize, interpret and apply legal principles and knowledge to legal problems. Ability to effectively prosecute a variety of cases. Ability to effectively communicate with office personnel. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, other county departments, and citizens. Good professional judgment, research and writing skills. Good written and oral communications skills. 

Education, Experience, and Training:

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney I - Completion of Juris Doctorate Degree, required. Membership in good standing of Virginia State Bar, required. Must be admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney II - Completion of Juris Doctorate Degree, required. Membership in good standing of Virginia State Bar, required. Must be admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Two (2) or more years of criminal trial practice including jury trial experience.  

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney III - Completion of Juris Doctorate Degree, required. Membership in good standing of Virginia State Bar, required. Must be admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Must have four (4) or more years of criminal trial experience including the completion of ten (10) or more jury trials to verdict.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney IV - Completion of Juris Doctorate Degree, required. Membership in good standing of Virginia State Bar, required. Must be admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Must have six (6) or more years of criminal trial experience including twenty (20) or more jury trials to verdict. Must have one (1) or more years of experience supervising, teaching, training, and/or mentoring others.

 Special Conditions:

• Serves at the will of the Hanover Commonwealth’s Attorney.
• Criminal records check including fingerprinting.
• Work hours may extend beyond normal work schedule.
• Twelve (12) month probationary period.

Salary range shown is the full hiring range for all levels. Salary and level determined based on experience.

Salary : $80,783 - $132,612