Attorney - Criminal (Levels I-V) *Revised

About the role

This is a continuous filing exam. The next filing cut-off is at 5:00 pm on: Fourth Friday of every month 1/23/2026, 2/27/2026, 3/27/2026, 4/24/2026, 5/22/2026, 6/26/2026, 7/24/2026, 8/28/2026, 9/25/2026, 10/23/2026, 11/25/2026, 12/24/2026.

Responsibilities

• Read and evaluate investigative reports submitted by law enforcement agencies
• Use good judgement in deciding whether or how best to proceed in a given matter
• Conduct and/or direct additional investigation as may be necessary to competently prosecute or defend contested actions in trial courts or other judicial forums
• Prepare and present evidence in those forums as well as make pertinent legal and factual arguments

Requirements

• Membership in the California State Bar
• At least one year of Sacramento County service as an Attorney - Criminal, Level II, or three years of experience practicing law in the State of California for Level III
• At least one year of Sacramento County service as an Attorney - Criminal, Level III, or four years of experience practicing law in the State of California in an area of law practiced by the District Attorney's or Public Defender's Offices for Levels IV and V

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Entry level requires no previous legal experience. Full journey level requires one year of Sacramento County service as an Attorney - Criminal, Level II, or three years of experience practicing law in the State of California. Advanced journey level requires one year of Sacramento County service as an Attorney - Criminal, Level III, or four years of experience practicing law in the State of California in an area of law practiced by the District Attorney's or Public Defender's Offices. Lead level requires one year of Sacramento County service as an Attorney - Criminal, Level IV.

Skills

Incumbents in the Attorney - Criminal classification must have knowledge and abilities sufficient to enable competent prosecution or defense of criminal actions and relevant civil actions (e.g., consumer, environmental, family support, etc.) in trial courts. Essential knowledge and abilities include demonstrated proficiency in legal research and writing, knowledge of rules of criminal and civil procedure, proficiency in oral advocacy skills used in court and jury trials and hearings before other judicial and quasi-judicial officers, and knowledge of ethical standards and duties required to maintain the highest standard of professionalism.

Benefits

Salary Information:

• Level I: $11,240.40 monthly
• Level II: $12,929.92 monthly
• Level III: $11,706.75 - $14,228.00 monthly
• Level IV: $12,905.58 - $16,470.83 monthly
• Level V: $14,238.42 - $18,172.56 monthly

This is a single classification with five (5) salary levels. Level I is the level at which initial appointments to Attorney - Criminal are typically made; and advancement from the lower to the higher level of the class is at the discretion of the appointing authority, provided the minimum qualifications are met.

Pay

• Level I: $11,240.40 monthly
• Level II: $12,929.92 monthly
• Level III: $11,706.75 - $14,228.00 monthly
• Level IV: $12,905.58 - $16,470.83 monthly
• Level V: $14,238.42 - $18,172.56 monthly

Schedule

The class of Attorney - Criminal has five levels which are assigned at the department head's discretion in accordance with budget provisions, workload, organizational needs, and the individual attorney's expertise and skill, subject to the following basic experience requirements:

• Level I: This level is assigned to attorneys who have no previous legal experience. Under close supervision, attorneys at this level are generally assigned a variety of less difficult assignments. This is the entry and trainee level for criminal attorneys.
• Level II: This level is assigned attorneys with at least one year of experience in the practice of law. Under close supervision, attorneys at this level perform work of average difficulty in all phases of criminal law. This is the first working level.
• Level III: This level is assigned attorneys with at least one year of Sacramento County service as an Attorney - Criminal, Level II, or three years of experience practicing law in the State of California. Attorneys at this level litigate increasingly difficult and complex criminal cases under general supervision. This is the full journey level.
• Level IV: This level is assigned attorneys with at least one year of Sacramento County service as an Attorney - Criminal, Level III, or four years of experience practicing law in the State of California in an area of law practiced by the District Attorney's or Public Defender's Offices. Acceptable areas of practice include but are not limited to, criminal law, consumer fraud, environmental protection, asset forfeiture, or family support. Attorneys at this level litigate the most difficult and complex criminal cases with minimal direction. This is the advanced journey level.
• Level V: This level is assigned attorneys with at least one year of Sacramento County service as an Attorney - Criminal, Level IV. Attorneys at this level litigate demanding and critical cases requiring a highly advanced degree of knowledge of legal processes, or act in a lead capacity when the staff size is so large, or the work is so complex, as to require both a first-line supervisor and a lead attorney.

Benefits

Employment Qualifications:

• Membership in the California State Bar

Document Required with the application: Your California State Bar license number and date of issue MUST be documented on your application. NOTE: Failure to submit proof of educational requirements will result in disqualification from the examination.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is twelve (12) months.

Application and Testing Information

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date. Click here to apply. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Applicants are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The Supplemental Questionnaire is located in the tab marked "Supplemental Questions". Please be descriptive in your response. Note: Responses of "See Resume" or "See Application", or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be considered. Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)