Homicide Unit- Assistant District Attorney

An at-will employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts serving under the general supervision of the Second Assistant District Attorney and any relevant Chief of a specialized unit. Position is covered under G.L. c. 268B.

About the role

The Assistant District Attorney – Superior Court represents the Commonwealth in Plymouth County, the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, and other courts as needed, exercising the District Attorney’s statutory authority.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commonwealth at all stages of criminal prosecutions, including:
• Reviewing and assessing materials for indictment consideration
• Conducting grand jury investigations
• Handling arraignments, bail requests, conditions of release, dangerousness hearings, and bail revocation hearings
• Litigating pre-trial hearings, evidentiary and non-evidentiary motions
• Handling trials, pleas, sentencing, and post-conviction matters
• Serving in an “on-call” capacity as needed
• Mentor District Court Assistant District Attorneys
• Collaborate with colleagues, office staff, victim-witness advocates, law enforcement, court personnel, and community partners
• Attend meetings with community and law enforcement partners
• Review charging decisions made by law enforcement and make appropriate recommendations
• Review case files, statutes, case law, and victim information to determine case resolution recommendations
• Stay current with court decisions and legislation affecting Massachusetts law
• Maintain command of all applicable rules, laws, court procedures, and guidelines (e.g., Rules of Criminal Procedure, Massachusetts Guide to Evidence, Victims’ Bill of Rights)
• Interact with victims, witnesses, and the public with compassion and professionalism
• Manage crises in a high-stress, dynamic, and fast-paced environment while maintaining a calm demeanor
• Adhere to Plymouth District Attorney’s Office Personnel Policies
• Participate in relevant trainings
• Complete work assignments in a timely manner using computers, telephones, and other technology
• Respond to crime scenes or other outdoor duties as required
• Transport case files, laptop, and cellphone to conduct work
• Perform general administrative duties (filing, faxing, photocopying, etc.)
• Perform other duties as assigned by the District Attorney or designee
• Work regularly in a courthouse setting with hours needed to accomplish tasks; available 24/7 when on-call or as required

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate and license to practice law in Massachusetts
• Experience prosecuting homicides as either first or second chair
• Significant trial experience (pre-trial motions, bench trials, jury trials)
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills
• Excellent communication skills and ability to share information clearly and timely
• Commitment to a positive, collaborative working environment
• Ability to prioritize time-sensitive matters and meet deadlines
• Self-starter with sharp attention to detail and ability to exercise discretion with confidential information
• Ability to work as part of a team and adapt to new processes and procedures
• Strong interviewing and presentation skills
• Ability to handle stressful, emotional situations related to crimes
• Ability to interact positively with victims, offenders, family members, defense counsel, judges, probation, community members, and others involved in the criminal process
• Ability to juggle multiple cases, tasks, and competing priorities in a stressful environment
• Ability to respond quickly, thoroughly, and accurately to complex legal issues

Pay

$110,000 depending on experience