Attorney III - Berkeley Prosecutor (60017922)

About the role

You are an attorney looking to serve the public with your legal skills. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) is hiring field prosecutors. These positions assist law enforcement officers with the prosecution of magistrate level offenses in the courts of South Carolina, with a primary focus on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases. The role offers manageable caseloads emphasizing quality prosecution, the opportunity to try and appeal cases as needed, and close collaboration with Highway Patrol troop officers to enhance road safety.

Responsibilities

• Assist law enforcement officers with the prosecution of magistrate level offenses in South Carolina courts.
• Primarily prosecute Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases.
• Maintain manageable caseloads with a focus on quality prosecution.
• Invest time to try cases and appeal them as necessary.
• Be assigned to a Highway Patrol troop and work embedded with officers in the field.
• Serve as a ready resource for prosecution of cases and provide general legal advice.
• Alleviate courtroom burdens for officers so they can focus on enforcement duties.
• Contribute to keeping South Carolina's roads safer for citizens and visitors.
• Report to the Assistant General Counsel, prosecuting offenses under Title 56 of the SC Code of Laws on behalf of the South Carolina Highway Patrol with an emphasis on DUIs.
• Prosecute traffic offenses under Title 56 in the summary courts of Berkeley, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties.
• Supervise Troop 6 paralegal.
• Provide legal advice to Department personnel on Title 56‑related topics, including substantive criminal law, criminal procedure, and statutory interpretation.
• Prepare responses to discovery requests served on department personnel in criminal matters.
• Handle assigned appeals of Title 56 cases to circuit court.
• Conduct training and mentoring for department personnel related to prosecution of Title 56 offenses.
• Handle pre‑trial matters in selected Title 56 cases in summary court.
• Serve as Employee Advisor regarding investigation/disciplinary matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school.
• Experience as a practicing attorney (State minimum) – Agency minimum requires five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar.
• Completion of trial experience requirement pursuant to Rule 403, South Carolina Appellate Court Rules (SCACR).
• Knowledge of general case, statutory, and common law.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all matters and work independently.
• Valid Driver's License.