Superior Court- Assistant District Attorney

Status: Exempt. Reports to the Second Assistant District Attorneys.

About the role

The Assistant District Attorney in the Superior Court represents the Commonwealth in accordance with the District Attorney’s statutory authority in the various courts in Plymouth County, the Supreme Judicial Court, the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County, the Appeals Court, and at times courts in other counties. This position is an at-will employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, serving at the pleasure of the District Attorney and covered under the provisions of G.L. c. 268B.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commonwealth at all stages of criminal prosecutions, including:
  • Reviewing and assessing materials forwarded from District Court for indictment consideration.
  • Conducting grand jury investigations.
  • Handling arraignments and corresponding motions such as bail requests, conditions of release, dangerousness hearings, and bail revocation hearings in all courts (including Juvenile, District, and Superior Court as appropriate).
  • Handling pre-trial hearings, conferences, and litigating the full range of evidentiary and non-evidentiary motions.
  • Handling trials, pleas, sentencing, and post-conviction matters.
  • Serving in an “on-call capacity” as needed.
  • Mentoring District Court ADAs.
• Work closely with colleagues, office staff, victim witness advocates, law enforcement officers, court personnel, criminal justice agencies, community partners, and the public to ensure an ethical, effective, fair, and professional approach to prosecution on behalf of victims and the communities served.
• Attend meetings with community and law enforcement partners.
• Review charging decisions made by law enforcement agencies and make appropriate recommendations and changes as needed.
• Review all forms of documentary materials, interact with victims and witnesses, prepare discovery, and provide discovery to defense counsel.
• Review case files, applicable statutes and case law, victim information and input, and determine an appropriate recommendation for case resolution. Conference the same with the First Assistant.
• Keep abreast of court decisions and legislation affecting Massachusetts law and prepare written memoranda where appropriate.
• Maintain a solid command of all applicable rules, laws, court procedures, statutes, and guidelines, including the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Massachusetts Guide to Evidence, and the mandates of the Victims’ Bill of Rights.
• Interact with victims, witnesses, and members of the public with compassion and professionalism.
• Manage crises and excel in high-stress, dynamic, and fast-paced environments while exhibiting and maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.
• Familiarize with and follow the provisions of the Plymouth District Attorney’s Office Personnel Policies.
• Participate in trainings relevant to Office functions.
• Collaborate with peers to maximize productivity and produce the highest outcomes.
• Communicate with or provide timely notification to Office staff, police, and other interested parties, as permitted and/or required by law.
• Interact in a respectful and professional manner with the public, judicial and law enforcement personnel, and Office staff.
• Complete work assignments in a timely manner.
• Use computers, telephones, multimedia, and other technology competently.
• Respond to crime scenes or other outdoor duties when required.
• Pick up, carry, and transport multiple case files to and from the courtroom, as well as transport and use a laptop computer and cellphone to conduct work.
• Complete general administrative duties including filing, faxing, and photocopying.
• Perform any other duties at any jobsite as assigned by the District Attorney, the Second Assistant District Attorneys, or other designee of the District Attorney.
• Work regularly in a courthouse setting, with hours needed to accomplish job tasks successfully; available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when necessary, depending on “on-call” duties or other assignments.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and license to practice law in Massachusetts.
• Significant trial experience (pre-trial motions, bench trials, jury trials).
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to share and provide information clearly, articulately, and in a timely manner.
• Commitment to fostering and contributing to a positive, collaborative working environment.
• Ability to prioritize time-sensitive matters and ensure all deadlines are met.
• Self-starter with sharp attention to detail, ability to exercise discretion with confidential information, and ability to work as part of a team.
• Positive attitude, willingness to learn new processes, and adaptability to new procedures and protocols.
• Strong interviewing and presentation skills.
• Ability to deal with stressful, emotional situations related to crimes.
• Ability to interact with victims, offenders, family members, supporters, defense counsel, judges, probation officers, community members, and others.
• Ability to interact positively and productively as a team member with internal colleagues and all persons involved in the criminal process, including judges, attorneys, police officers, witnesses, and victims from all walks of life.
• Ability to juggle multiple cases, tasks, and competing priorities in a stressful environment.
• Ability to respond to complex practical situations and legal issues quickly, thoroughly, and accurately.

Experience with Homicide, Violent Crimes, and Community Oriented Prosecution is preferred but not required.

Internal and external applicants, as well as position incumbents, must be able to perform the essential core tasks either with or without the assistance of a reasonable accommodation (to be determined by the District Attorney’s Office on a case-by-case basis).

Pay

$80,000 to $90,000, depending upon experience.