Deputy City Attorney I/II (DUI-D)

About the role

The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the Office provides the City of Los Angeles ("City") with the highest caliber of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform to advising on homelessness initiatives, defending civil lawsuits and claims, and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California. Guided by an overarching commitment to integrity, accountability and transparency, we find great meaning in the work we do and the services we provide. We seek collaborative team players who understand that fulfilling our mission is key to making a positive impact.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing cases presented by a variety of law enforcement agencies for filing determination;
• Making filing decisions;
• Initiating criminal complaints;
• Affording assessment of the value of cases for purposes of possible charge reductions, pleas and sentences;
• Appearing in arraignment court;
• Negotiating case dispositions;
• Engaging in case preparation, including visiting the crime scene when appropriate;
• Retrieval and review of digital evidence such as body worn video, digital in car video and social media posts;
• Holding discovery, law and motion matters and making related court appearances;
• Staffing and appearing in master calendar courts, direct set trial courts and post-conviction courts;
• Conducting jury and court trials, including interviewing and preparing witnesses for trial, preparing and arguing pre-trial motions, delivering opening statements and closing arguments, examining and cross-examining witnesses, making appropriate evidentiary objections;
• Holding all post-trial motions, and appropriate sentence recommendation post-conviction;
• Holding appeals and writs;
• All other duties and responsibilities associated with the prosecution of misdemeanor offenses handled by the Office of the City Attorney.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California;
• Familiarity with evidentiary matters, and strong oral and written advocacy skills;
• The ability and willingness to try challenging cases;
• Willingness to prosecute cases at any Courthouse location in Los Angeles County;
• Ability to participate in data collection and quarterly performance reporting;
• Complete the Traffic Safety Resource Specialist training, LAPD Drug Recognition Expert courses, Office of Traffic Safety training, and attend the annual Vehicular Homicide Conference (program costs are paid through grant funds).

Desired Qualifications

• Extensive criminal trial experience demonstrating strong trial skills, including an understanding of evidentiary issues, trial preparation and trial strategy, and a broad knowledge of criminal law and procedure;
• Experience with filing procedures and handling arraignment, master calendar, trial and post-conviction courts;
• Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to effectively engage in oral advocacy;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of members of the public, law enforcement, and the court system with tact, sensitivity and good judgment;
• Strong research and writing skills;
• Familiarity with electronic databases and the electronic and digital presentation of evidence;
• Ability to assist in the preparation of reports, memoranda and legal research;
• Experience with driving under the influence cases and a desire to prosecute DUI-D offender cases;
• Familiarity with prosecution of cases with Vehicle Code charges;
• Familiarity with grant reporting protocols;
• Familiarity with advances related to evidence collection and/or testing as an evidentiary tool in DUI-D cases;
• Familiarity and/or willingness to work toward establishing new standards related to the admissibility of alternative testing methods.

Additional Information

Current Location: 1945 S. Hill Street, Room 501, Los Angeles, 90007.
Position is subject to assignment at any location within the County of Los Angeles.
Work Location and Parking: Regular onsite work. Occasional telework options may be available if operational needs allow and in accordance with the current City Attorney telework policy. Employer-provided parking is limited and may not be available for this classification. Employees may be responsible for securing and paying for parking at nearby facilities.
Applicants are encouraged to review available commute and transportation resources through the City’s COMMUTEwell program. For more information, please visit: https://lacommutewell.com.
For more information about the City Attorney’s Office, please visit: https://www.lacity.org/attorney/.