Deputy District Attorney II/III/IV – Appeals **$7500 Sign On Incentive**

General Description of Job

The Deputy District Attorney – Appeals serves as an appellate advocate in criminal appeals before the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and the District Court of Arapahoe County. Also provides legal support for trial deputies and serves as a training resource and legal expert.

Duties

• In the Colorado Supreme Court, prosecutes certiorari appeals under C.A.R. 49-54, original proceedings under C.A.R. 21, and interlocutory appeals of suppression rulings under C.A.R. 4.1.
• In the Colorado Court of Appeals, prosecutes state-initiated appeals and cross-appeals of pretrial, trial, and sentencing issues under C.A.R. 4 and C.A.R. 4.1.
• In the District Court of Arapahoe County, responds to defense-initiated appeals of misdemeanor convictions and prosecutes state-initiated appeals of suppression rulings under Crim. P. 37 and Crim. P. 37.1.
• Performs extensive legal research, writes appellate briefs and conducts appellate oral arguments.
• Provides support to trial deputies, including legal research, motion analysis, trial strategy, and guidance on post-conviction motions.
• Develops strategy and crafts legal arguments on cutting-edge constitutional, statutory, and procedural issues.
• Serves as a legal expert and training resource for prosecutors and law enforcement agencies.
• Provide assistance in postconviction matters including briefs related to Crim. P. 35(c) claims, responding to petitions for clemency and/or pardon, Forensic Science Integrity Act responses.
• In major cases may provide in court legal support for trial attorneys on complex motions or instructional issues.

Requirements

• Considerable to extensive knowledge of the rules of criminal procedure and the rules of evidence; ability to effectively apply same in a courtroom setting related to felony offenses. Considerable knowledge of state statutes and substantive case law related to felony and misdemeanor offenses. Ability to advocate and/or present legal/factual scenarios in a clear and persuasive manner to persons of highly varying legal, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to effectively advocate criminal case issues while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants; ability to assess cases for strengths versus weaknesses and aggravators versus mitigators to determine just and ethical outcomes that are consistent with the goals of the District Attorney.
• Ability to react quickly and appropriately in court to defense arguments and court inquiries. Ability to write in a succinct and well-reasoned manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, defense attorneys, victims, judges, court staff, police officers, witnesses, related agencies’ personnel, and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Considerable to extensive knowledge of the rules of criminal procedure and the rules of evidence; ability to effectively apply same in a courtroom setting related to felony offenses. Considerable knowledge of state statutes and substantive case law related to felony and misdemeanor offenses. Ability to advocate and/or present legal/factual scenarios in a clear and persuasive manner to persons of highly varying legal, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to effectively advocate criminal case issues while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants; ability to assess cases for strengths versus weaknesses and aggravators versus mitigators to determine just and ethical outcomes that are consistent with the goals of the District Attorney.
• Ability to react quickly and appropriately in court to defense arguments and court inquiries. Ability to write in a succinct and well-reasoned manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, defense attorneys, victims, judges, court staff, police officers, witnesses, related agencies’ personnel, and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.

Behavioral Competencies

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience

• Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado
• 5+ years litigation experience.
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.
• 5 + years Criminal Deputy DA litigation experience or Assistant Attorney General experience preferred.

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado.