Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

Overview

The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office seeks an entry-level Deputy Prosecuting Attorney who demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to public service. Successful candidates will bring strong legal skills, sound judgment, and a collaborative spirit to support the office’s mission of pursuing justice, protecting the community, and serving victims with fairness and compassion. Duties include prosecution of District Court, Juvenile Court, and/or Superior Court cases, depending on level of qualifications.

Under general supervision, incumbents in this position perform a wide range of professional legal work of a civil or criminal nature consistent with the constitutional and statutory duties of the Prosecuting Attorney. The work includes legal research and analysis, document preparation or review, representation of the county and/or county officials and employees in civil litigation, and/or prosecuting criminal cases in the name of Thurston County or the State of Washington.

They exercise considerable legal discretion while working with minimal supervision. All Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys are appointed by and represent the elected Prosecuting Attorney in all aspects of their work. They are expected to conduct themselves in a high ethical standard and in accordance with their oath of office and the core values of the office.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review and evaluate evidence presented in criminal referrals from law enforcement to determine if criminal charges should be initiated in accordance with office policy, ethical rules, and state law. Conduct all aspects of case prosecution including case management, legal research and document preparation, motion advocacy, plea negotiations and agreements, change of plea hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings. May be assigned cases with charges ranging from misdemeanor to felonies brought in District or Superior Court or other courts if required.
• Provide legal advice to law enforcement with respect to ongoing criminal investigations and assist law enforcement in applying for search warrants, subpoenas, or other investigatory judicial orders. This includes responding to crime scenes at any time to better understand the scene and provide on-scene advice to investigators.
• Responsible for all aspects of preparing charged cases for trial including but not limited to interviewing witnesses, examining physical evidence, trial strategy planning, bringing motions on behalf of the state and responding to defense motions, preparation of trial memoranda and exhibits, and other tasks as may be necessary to the presentation of the evidence.
• Responsible for all aspects of trial work including the presentation of evidence and overall trial advocacy on behalf of Thurston County or the State of Washington. This work is done independently, with minimal supervision and involves the exercise of considerable professional discretion.
• May be assigned to handle appeals filed by either party in any criminal case. This work includes but is not limited to legal research, brief writing, and the presentation of oral arguments in state or federal appellate courts.
• May be asked to provide training presentations to attorneys and staff in the office, law enforcement officers, or other lawyers and legal staff on behalf of other organizations such as the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
• May lead or supervise other attorneys or legal support staff.

To view the full job classification, please review the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney classification. This position description is indicative of the work performed and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

• Work Environment – Generally work is performed indoors. Physical demands include frequent keyboarding and occasionally standing or sitting for long periods, traveling between court rooms and different locations, reaching for objects, and fine manipulation. Physical effort may be required at the work location due to occasional heavy lifting up to 20 lbs. May occasionally attend crime scenes.
• Schedule…