Placer County

To perform professional legal work within the District Attorney's Office; to prepare and present civil and criminal cases in court; and to perform related work as assigned.

This is a multi-level class series in which incumbents may be assigned to any one of four levels, depending upon organizational needs, professional legal experience, individual expertise and skill, proficiency gained, and the complexity and sensitivity of assigned cases. Positions in these classes are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.  Progression from one level to the next is at the discretion of the appointing authority, provided the minimum qualifications are met.

Deputy District Attorney I is the entry level in the Deputy District Attorney series assigned to employees with no previous legal experience.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the higher levels.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Deputies District Attorney II is the first working level assigned to employees with at least one year of experience practicing law.  Under general supervision, employees at this level perform work of average difficulty in all phases of criminal law.

Deputy District Attorney III is the full journey level assigned to employees with at least two years of experience practicing law.  Employees at this level are assigned increasingly difficult and complex cases and receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new situations arise.

Deputy District Attorney IV is the full working level assigned to employees with at least three years of experience practicing law.  Employees at this level are generally assigned more difficult and sensitive cases, are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit, and may be required to prepare legal opinions on problems that are complex and have far-reaching implications.  At this level, employees are required to use independent judgement in carrying out assignments and are expected to prosecute the full range of civil and criminal cases tried before the Court.

These classes are distinguished from the Senior Deputy District Attorney in that the latter is responsible for providing lead direction to a functional or geographic area and presents the most complex and sensitive cases in court.

Deputy District Attorney I
Receives immediate supervision from a Supervising Deputy District Attorney or other management staff and receives technical and functional supervision from higher level Deputy District Attorneys.

Deputy District Attorney II
Receives general supervision from a Supervising Deputy District Attorney or other management staff and receives technical and functional supervision from higher level Deputy District Attorneys.

Deputy District Attorney III
Receives direction from a Supervising Deputy District Attorney or other management staff and receives technical and functional supervision from a Senior Deputy District Attorney.
May exercise technical and functional supervision over legal staff.

Deputy District Attorney IV
Receives direction from a Supervising Deputy District Attorney or other management staff and receives technical and functional supervision from a Senior Deputy District Attorney.
May exercise technical and functional supervision over legal staff.

• Work within the District Attorney's Office, performing the full range of legal activities involving the investigation or prosecution of complex criminal or civil cases; prepare and present cases in court.
• Receive complaints and review reports filed by arresting officers or complainants; interview complainants and witnesses with regard to prospective complaints; subpoena witnesses; refuse or approve and issue complaints in such matters.
• Analyze, interpret and apply laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases, opinions and briefs; prepare pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings and other legal proceedings; examine, assemble and evaluate evidence; secure and interview witnesses; appear in court and try cases.
• Perform a wide variety of advanced legal research.
• Prepare opinions, briefs, pleadings, warrants, and other legal documents; dictate correspondence and reports.
• Work closely with affiliated law enforcement agencies from the county, State or Federal level as required by assigned case.
• Review cases for any assistance required of investigation staff; request Investigators to secure evidence or conduct further investigation; review and incorporate additional information secured by Investigators.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Deputy District Attorney I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: None required.

Training: Demonstrated possession of the eligibility requirements to take the California Bar Examination as established by Section 6060 of the California Business and Professions Code.

Required License or Certificate:

• Active membership in the California State Bar to be obtained by date of appointment.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Deputy District Attorney II - IV

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Deputy District Attorney II

Experience: One year of responsible professional legal experience performing duties similar to a Deputy District Attorney I with Placer County or one year of professional legal experience. Acceptable areas of practice include, but are not limited to, criminal law, consumer fraud, environmental protection, or asset forfeiture.

Training: Active membership in the California State Bar.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required. 
 
Deputy District Attorney III

Experience: One year of responsible professional legal experience performing duties similar to a Deputy District Attorney II with Placer County or two years of professional legal experience. Acceptable areas of practice include, but are not limited to, criminal law, consumer fraud, environmental protection, or asset forfeiture.

Training: Active membership in the California State Bar.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
 
Deputy District Attorney IV

Experience: One year of responsible professional legal experience performing duties similar to a Deputy District Attorney III with Placer County or three years of professional legal experience.  Acceptable areas of practice include, but are not limited to, criminal law, consumer fraud, environmental protection, or asset forfeiture.

Training: Active membership in the California State Bar.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional law and related procedures.
• Rules of Court and Evidence Code.
• Legal research methods.

• Learn to investigate and prosecute criminal and civil law complaints.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time or in meetings; intermittently walk, stand and bend while going to/from other offices or court and while taking files to/from meetings or court; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; hear sufficiently to communicate with clients and to understand actions in public meetings, hearings, or court proceedings; and lift light weight.
• On a continuous basis, analyze a case and determine the law's application; identify and interpret the applicable law or statute; know legal research methods; observe juries and witnesses; problem solve situations that arise in cases; remember and understand case law and statutes; and explain case status to the public as required.
• Analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems.
• Learn to recommend investigative alternatives.
• Learn to prepare and present cases and effectively represent the District Attorney's Office.
• Present law, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Explain legal principles and relate them to both trained legal professionals and the public.
• Perform legal research.
• Work under time constraints and exacting professional and legal standards.
• Learn to obtain information through interview and interrogation and deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Draft legal pleadings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Adhere to ethical standards.
• Operate a computer terminal with sufficient proficiency to perform the duties of the job.

Deputy district attorney II - IV

In addition to the qualifications for the Deputy District Attorney I:

Knowledge of:

• Legal principles and practices with emphasis on criminal law.
• Trial and hearing procedures, rules of evidence and the California Penal Code.
• Organization and procedures of the District Attorney's Office.
• Appellate court proceedings.
• Search and seizure laws.
• The duties, powers and limitations of the District Attorney’s Office
• Legal complexities of major felony prosecution and defense cases.

Ability to:

• Evaluate and apply legal principles of civil and criminal law.
• Investigate and prosecute criminal and civil law complaints.
• Recommend investigative alternatives.
• Present law, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Obtain information through interview and interrogation and to deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Organize and prioritize work assignments.
• Prepare and present legal cases within a court of law, especially the presentation of evidence, the examination of witnesses and in arguing an effective case before a judge or jury.
• Be alert to, identify, analyze and be sensitive to the subtleties of verbal and nonverbal communication by clients, witnesses and others.
• Defend or prosecute individuals in a wide variety of adversarial proceedings including, but not limited to: preliminary hearings, violation of probation hearings, court trials, and jury trials.
• Assist less experienced attorneys in matters relative to the District Attorney function.
• Secure cooperation and teamwork among professional and/or support staff.