Deputy District Attorney - Juvenile

Description

Performs a variety of professional legal and docket management functions to file and prosecute juvenile delinquency petitions and felony criminal direct file and transfer cases in the 23rd Judicial District.

This is a journey level class within the deputy district attorney series; it is distinguished from the lower level Deputy District Attorney – County Court by the primary responsibility to intake and prosecute felony criminal matters (primarily in Juvenile Court) and from the higher levels of Senior and Chief Deputy District Attorney by the lack of assignment of consistent supervisory responsibilities.

• Receives and reviews for investigation, or disposition (including trial) felony and misdemeanor juvenile delinquency petitions and felony criminal juvenile direct file cases submitted by local police agencies; analyzes supplementary case documentation to assess sufficiency of the evidence of the delinquent act initially charged and/or mitigating factors/lack of evidence to support a dismissal; determines formal charges and directs the preparation of applicable documents required for filing with the court.
  
  Ensures that defense attorneys are provided discovery and notifies victim(s) in compliance with victim rights laws. Upon direction from supervisor, media director/PIO, or the District Attorney, responds to inquiries from the general public and law enforcement on a variety of issues related to the juvenile justice system. e.g. search and seizure, statutory elements of crimes, affidavits for search/arrest warrants, etc.
• Reviews juvenile's delinquency history and all factors relating to their ties to the community, home/family situation, custody issues and mental health status; appears at all detention hearings and initial advisement(s) for the filing of charges and/or to advocate the setting of bond and/or to set a date for preliminary hearing or any future settings.
• Reviews case facts and supporting documentation to prepare for various hearings and trials; engages in plea discussions with victims, police, and defense attorneys; interviews or directs the interviewing of subpoenaed witnesses in preparation for their testimony; conducts examinations of witnesses to establish varying burdens of proof at different hearings/trials.
• At trial and other hearings, presents and advocates prosecution case; interviews witnesses; as applicable, conducts voir dire of jury; prepares and presents opening statement and closing argument to finder of fact; conducts examinations of witnesses; offers legal objections as necessary; advocates prosecution position and creates record to preserve and mitigate appellate issues; prepares and argues for appropriate legal jury instructions.
• Researches and responds to a wide variety of defense motions, e.g. suppression of statements/evidence, motions in limine, request for sanctions for violation of procedural rules, etc. Researches, prepares, and presents motions on behalf of the people, e.g. amend charges, add charges, 404(b) similar transactions, child hearsay, motions in limine, etc. Researches, prepares, and presents briefs to the Court advocating the People's position regarding legal issues raised during motions practice.
• Prepares correspondence in instances where out of court communication requires documentation, e.g. advising defense of exculpatory evidence, requests to filing detective for further investigation, or other communication relating to the attorney’s legal and ethical obligations.
• Attends regular training meetings; may prepare and present lectures to other attorneys on legal issues related to juvenile/direct file prosecution. Responsible for earning required CLE credits to maintain good legal standing.
• After approval from supervisor, Assistant District Attorney, or District Attorney, makes presentations to schools and community groups to explain the functional aspects of the juvenile justice system and/or current issues related to juvenile matters, and serves on various interagency boards and/or attends meetings to represent the District Attorney regarding juvenile issues.

• Graduation…