Assistant District Attorney I Felony Drug Unit

Compensation Range:

$72,235.00 - $107,300.00

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• An Assistant District Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of a wide array of criminal offenses and handles all phases of a prosecution from pre-investigation through post-sentence appeals. It is the duty of an Assistant District Attorney to seek justice. In doing so, an Assistant District Attorney is responsible for evaluating cases, taking into consideration resources, strength of the evidence, severity of the crime, any impact on victims and the community and policy considerations. Compensation is subject to collective bargaining.

• An Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Felony Drug Unit is responsible for a personal caseload including investigation review/consultation, preliminary hearings, appropriate bail hearings, pretrial matters, plea negotiations, trials, and post-trial and appellate matters. This person is also responsible for approving search warrants and criminal charges involving controlled substances including drug delivery resulting in death. This person must be well versed in the laws of search and seizure, the Rules of Evidence and the forfeiture laws.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• Supervision received directly from an Assistant District Attorney Unit Supervisor, with oversight from the First Assistant District Attorney and the District Attorney.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Conduct Preliminary Hearing blocks.

• Screen assigned cases for discovery, plea offer, pretrial litigation, and trial presentation.

• Conduct pretrial hearings, jury and bench trials, juvenile hearings and posttrial hearings.

• Conduct summary conviction appeals, current business sessions, guilty pleas, and bench warrants.

• Prepare pretrial, post-trial and appellate briefs and memoranda of law.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Advise law enforcement officers on cases, charges and law. Be a point of contact for the Drug Task Force and the Selective Enforcement Unit for approval of drug search warrants and criminal complaints.

• Verify Rule 600 status of each assigned case.

• Act as Duty DA to be on call for the office on a rotating basis.

• Assist in the training of all new Assistant District Attorneys

• Provide trainings to police or others as requested by DA.

• Complete continuing legal education in order to maintain license to practice law.

• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree

• Juris Doctorate degree

• Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of PA

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• An Assistant District Attorney is a trial attorney and must possess analytical abilities, communication skills, a working knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as an understanding of the current state of the law, Pennsylvania crimes code, rules of criminal procedure and possess a presence in the courtroom.

• The ADA who holds this position must have specialized knowledge in PA criminal prosecution particularly of the PA Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, the PA electronic surveillance act and the forfeiture statutes; must be able to provide effective instruction to law enforcement personnel on these issues; and must be able to direct a major criminal investigation; must be able to foster collaborative work between law enforcement, and other government agencies.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• Successfully meet the requirements of the criminal history background check.

• Compliance with the County's "authorized" driver guidelines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is sedentary in nature.

• Except in the context of driving a motor vehicle in the course of employment, there are no specific physical demands.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees. Read more about our benefits here .

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.