Assistant City Prosecutor | Criminal Division

About the role

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle, representing the City in prosecuting misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and traffic infractions in Seattle Municipal Court.

Responsibilities

• Represents the City Attorney in prosecuting misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal offenses and probation violations.
• Learns prosecutorial techniques and strategies.
• Maintains a dynamic caseload and develops trial skills in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment.
• Reviews citations, arrest sheets, and other law enforcement documents.
• Gathers facts and data; conducts factual and legal analysis to determine whether charges should be filed.
• Drafts complaints, briefs, motions, memoranda of law, and other legal documents.
• Manages assigned cases in accordance with standard protocols and procedures.
• Confers with witnesses and crime victims; negotiates plea agreements with defense counsel within established guidelines.
• Develops trial and prosecution strategy for supervisor approval.
• Collaborates with members of the Seattle Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, and other involved parties to establish and verify the basis for prosecution or dismissal.
• Represents the City of Seattle at arraignments, hearings, and trials.
• Compiles records and other information; identifies witnesses for subpoena; brings cases before the court and argues facts of the case in relation to points of law, case law, and legal precedent.
• Interviews and cross-examines witnesses.
• Aids city prosecutors in preparing complex misdemeanor arraignments, motions, pleas, and hearings.
• Adheres to a high degree of professional ethics and integrity.

Qualifications

• Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or the ability to obtain membership within 30 days of an offer of employment, or being a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern awaiting Washington State Bar Examination results.
• Continued employment for Rule 9 candidates is contingent on passing the Washington State Bar Examination and becoming a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association within six months of beginning employment.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence and criminal procedure.
• Effective legal research and writing.
• Persuasive advocacy skills, including techniques to present the prosecution's case as a narrative storyline.
• Ability to quickly address a wide variety of legal issues.
• Creativity in developing different solutions to problems.
• Flexibility to respond to competing demands.