Trial Attorney (Aggressive Driving Prosecutor)

Job Summary

Located in the nation’s capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. OAG enforces the District’s laws, works to protect and defend D.C. residents, and provides the highest level of independent legal advice and guidance to District of Columbia government agencies. This position is located in the Public Safety Division within the Juvenile Section Office.

The Public Safety Division handles all cases where young people commit a law violation in the District of Columbia and prosecutes selected adult misdemeanor cases. The Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section and the Mental Health Sections protect victims of domestic violence, incapacitated adults who are being abused, and mentally ill adults who need emergency psychiatric care. The Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between the young people who commit crime and the victim, where the victim is interested. The Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust.

Duties And Responsibilities

The Public Safety Division of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia is seeking candidates for the position of Trial Attorney/Aggressive Driving Prosecutor (“ADP”) for the Criminal Section. The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the Section Chief and Assistant Section Chiefs to enhance the Section’s prosecutions of aggressive and dangerous drivers in the District of Columbia. The Criminal Section prosecutes adults who commit certain types of offenses within the District of Columbia. Specifically, the Section prosecutes all traffic offenses, including impaired driving, quality of life offenses, certain types of fraud offenses against government agencies, firearm violations, and other offenses the D.C. Code designated to OAG’s prosecutorial authority.

The Assistant Attorney General/ADP will maintain a caseload comprised of the most serious cases involving major crashes, fatalities, personal injuries, and property damage caused by aggressive and reckless driving. The ADP will also focus on cases involving other egregious factors such as children in the vehicle, commercial drivers, and repeat offenders. The individual selected for this position will coordinate with law enforcement on aggressive driving investigations, including obtaining search and arrest warrants where applicable. The ADP will also manage their cases from the initial investigation through all phases of charging, prosecution, and trial.

Qualifications And Education

Grade 12: The successful candidate for the Grade 12 position ideally should have prior criminal litigation experience. Knowledge of D.C. Superior Court is desirable but not required.

The successful candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. While prior litigation experience is preferred, it is not mandatory for Grade 12 candidates. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary, as is a desire to learn from others and become a strong trial attorney.

Grade 13: The successful candidate for the Grade 13 position should have prior criminal litigation experience, including jury trials. Knowledge of D.C. Superior Court is desirable but not required.

The successful candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. While prior litigation experience is preferred, it is not mandatory for Grade 12 candidates. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary, as is a desire to learn from others and become a strong trial attorney.

License and Certification

The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia during his/her employment in the Legal Service. If not currently a member of the District of the Columbia Bar, prior to their appointment, the successful candidate must send proof that his/her completed District of Columbia bar application has been submitted.

Other Significant Factors

DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Term (13 months)

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-12

Salary: $91,673 - $119,195

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-13

Salary: $109,019 - $123,559

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates must apply online. All applications must include the completed questionnaire, along with a cover letter, resume, list of three references and a writing sample. Candidates will only be able to submit the application once, and will not be able to return to add attachments or make any changes to their application once it has been submitted.

ELIGIBILITY: The successful candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.

OTHER INFORMATION:
The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:
Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government’s retirement plan.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, genetic information or political affiliation.