Assistant Commonwealth Attorney II

Closing Date: 12th April, 2024

Description:

Job Announcement:
This is an exciting time to join the Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, as the office embarks on the ambitious criminal justice reform agenda amidst the ongoing national conversation on race and the legacy of racism in the criminal justice system. After taking office in January 2020, Commonwealth's Attorney Descano's initiatives have included restructuring the office to produce accountability around reforms, issuing a comprehensive policy to address mass incarceration, and the formulation of a Justice Advisory Council, among others. His passion for reform and creating an atmosphere of diversity and fairness within the office has prompted the offices to seek team members with a passion for criminal justice reform and working to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in the local justice system. The office seeks to foster a culture of inclusion and diversity, with team members who are eager to take meaningful action to spearhead and institutionalize equity initiatives.

The Assistant Commonwealth Attorney II will be assigned a combination of cases, including misdemeanor offenses at the General District Court level and felony cases at the Circuit Court level. Depending on the level of experience, assignments generally include the prosecution of misdemeanor cases in General District Court (DUI, traffic offenses, and simple drug possession), and the prosecution of less serious felony cases to include non-violent crimes (property crimes, petit and grand larceny, forgery and uttering, etc.).

The ACA II prepares and prosecutes misdemeanor cases and felony cases, conducts legal research and arguments for hearings, composes appellate briefs, advises local law enforcement agencies, and works closely with victim/witness advocates. Due to the high caseload, must be organized, work efficiently, be flexible, and be able to think on his or her feet in busy and time-pressured situations. As experience, knowledge, and skills are obtained and developed, will be exposed to increasing responsibility, including more difficult and complex cases.

Note: This job advertisement is open until the closing date OR until the position is filled, and may close prior to the advertised closing date. Interested applicants are advised to submit their resume as soon as possible. Resumes will be reviewed, and qualified applicants interviewed on a continuous basis. Interviews may be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. If your resume is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The resume review process will close when the position(s) has been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been reviewed.

Illustrative Duties

• Represents the Commonwealth of Virginia in prosecutions of violations of criminal law;
• Appears in General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to prosecute criminal misdemeanors and traffic offenses;
• Appears in Circuit Court to prosecute the appeal of misdemeanor offenses in jury and bench trials;
• Appears in Circuit Court to prosecute felony offenses in jury and bench trials;
• Conducts legal research and writes memoranda regarding updates in the law and new issues arising in the prosecution of certain laws;
• Assists higher level attorneys with legal research and writing on constitutional motions and appeal briefs;
• Drafts correspondence on legal matters;
• Advises County and State law enforcement officials concerning the investigation of criminal violations and trial preparation;
• Reviews search warrants, affidavits and court orders submitted by law enforcement for the obtaining of evidence related to criminal cases;
• Advises citizens of Fairfax County on issues relating to criminal law violations in the community and court procedure.
• Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of the principles of law and their application;
• Knowledge of trial procedure and the rules of evidence;
• Knowledge of legal research methods;
• Ability to learn the criminal laws under the Code of Virginia and Fairfax County Code and the court decisions affecting the prosecution of those laws;
• Ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically;
• Ability to interview victims, witnesses and law enforcement to obtain the necessary information to prosecute cases;
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with associates, law enforcement, the judiciary and the general public.

Employment Standards:

Certifications and Licenses Required:
License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Necessary Special Requirements:

• The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.
• Employment to this position is at-will, serving at the pleasure of the Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney.

Preferred Qualifications:
The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with law enforcement personnel, experts and lay witnesses; effectively address, with sensitivity, the needs of victims of crime; work proficiently in a collaborative, team environment, engage people of various social, economic, cultural, ideological, racial and ethnic backgrounds; maintain a fast-paced workload/docket while keeping case files and workplace organized; prepare and present cases before trial court in a short period; and establish and maintain constructive, effective and professional relationships with fellow attorneys, public officials, judicial officers, and the public.

Physical Requirements:
Duties are generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor. Incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Must communicate with others. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

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