- Salary
- $92k – $195k/yr
- Location
- Goochland, VA, VA
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Legal
- Seniority
- Senior
- Closing date
- Today
- Source
- GovernmentJobs
Description
Goochland County is in the heart of Central Virginia. Just over 289 square miles of rural countryside, our County is home to just over 26,000 residents and is ideally located within a short drive to beaches or mountains. We have proximity to major cities – Richmond, Virginia’s capital, to the east, and vibrant, historic Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia, to the west. Our quality of life is unsurpassed, and our active community is welcoming to all. Our community is in a region steeped in history. The Goochland County Courthouse is widely considered to be the most well-maintained Jeffersonian courthouse in Virginia. Goochland County is the smallest county in the United States to have the highest rating from all three credit rating agencies. The County is financially resilient, growing in population, and is home to an award-winning public-school system.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is one of the elected state constitutional offices in each locality. The elected Commonwealth’s Attorney serves a four-year term and is responsible for the prosecution of most state and local criminal laws and ordinances.
The Goochland County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has one opening and is seeking either a Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney or a Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney to work for the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
The responsibilities for the position are the same at either level – Senior or Deputy. The two levels are distinguished by a level of some of the work and the qualifications of the successful candidate. The core responsibilities include the prosecution of criminal cases, including misdemeanor and felony charges, in the General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, and Circuit Court, for the County of Goochland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. A successful candidate joining the Office in the Deputy position will have some administrative responsibilities and will enjoy earlier exposure to matters involving responsibilities of Commonwealth’ Attorneys other than prosecution of criminal law violations.
This is a full-time position that requires working effectively with paralegals, a victim-witness Director, attorneys for defendants, law enforcement officers, and Clerks’ Office personnel. A typical day in the office includes reviewing written police reports, watching body worn camera videos, speaking with witnesses, victims, law enforcement officers, and other attorneys, conducting legal research using Westlaw and CoCounsel, and drafting documents such as records subpoenas and legal pleadings. Most days of the week will include court appearances but rarely does court fill more than half a day.
The Office is intentional in fostering a culture that is collaborative, professional, and positive. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in an office where there is a shared recognition that the Office can only achieve our goals and objectives through the hard work and individual success of every employee.
The position requires exercise of considerable initiative and independent judgment in determining the proper course of action in a variety of legal cases and situations. Unwavering tact, courtesy, and discretion are required in contacts with crime victims, suspects, law enforcement and judicial officials, public officials, and the public.
The Office enjoys strong support from Goochland County government. In the last several years the Office has focused on adopting technology, modernizing, and embracing efficiency. That has only been possible with the support of the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff. Office modernization includes reducing, where possible, the reliance on paper files. The reduction of our reliance on complete paper files should accelerate in the next six months when the Office is expected to move to a modern AI-supported prosecutor’s case management (and document management) system. This future system integrates with Axon Justice, another tool the Office uses to enhance our management of the large volume of electronic data associated with cases. Proven strong organizational and computer skills are required of the successful candidate. An understanding of how to effectively and ethically use modern, ubiquitous AI tools and a strong interest in learning how to optimally use legal-specific AI tools are required.Criminal law trial experience is required for both levels.
A minimum of five (5) years prosecutorial experience preferred for the Senior Assistant level. For the Deputy level position, more criminal law trial experience (minimum of ten (10) years) and successful experience with more complex and varied case types is required.
Virginia state court trial experience is preferred.
Must hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and be an active, licensed member of the Virginia State Bar.
- Pre-employment background check, drug screen and education/degree verification are required. The Office and all people working for the Commonwealth’s Attorney will adhere to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance standards. The position, therefore, requires successfully passing a more stringent criminal background check.
- Valid State of Virginia Driver’s License with a driving record that meets HR Policy requirements.