Assistant Prosecuting Attorney I to Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Pre-Bar Admission/Assistant Prosecutor I

Under the direction of the Prosecuting Attorney and the Chief Assistant, reviews and authorizes requests for warrants, determines the appropriate charge and prosecutes criminal cases.  As an entry level Assistant Prosecutor, is assigned to a District Court docket covering misdemeanor criminal trial docket, felony preliminary examinations, and civil infraction hearings. Assists in more complex felony matters.  

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney II and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney III

Under the direction of the Prosecuting Attorney and the Chief Assistant reviews and authorizes requests for warrants, determines the appropriate charge and prosecutes criminal and civil cases.  An intermediate level Assistant Prosecutor independently manages a juvenile delinquency or misdemeanor criminal trial docket, or with supervisory assistance manages an appellate docket or a felony trial docket in Circuit Court.  May be assigned more complex felony matters.  

Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Under the direction of the Prosecuting Attorney and the Chief Assistant, reviews and authorizes requests for warrants, determines the appropriate charge and prosecutes criminal cases.  As an experienced Assistant Prosecutor, independently manages a felony docket of a Circuit Court, as well as District and Probate Court matters as necessary. Is assigned more complex or sensitive cases including sexual assault, violent crimes, and homicides, and is expected to be able to prosecute such matters with limited assistance.

Starting pay is dependent on an applicant's relevant experience and the position level they are offered.  

1. Reviews criminal warrant requests from State and local law enforcement agencies, analyzes police  reports,  collects  input  from  the  law  enforcement  officers(s),  researches  the  law  as necessary to determine applicable statutes and determines whether adequate grounds exist to authorize a warrant.
2. Researches and prepares criminal cases for trial, motions, sentencings, and other proceedings. Includes  the  research  of  applicable  law,  interviewing  witnesses  and  investigating  claims, developing trial strategies and directing law enforcement officers in further investigation.
3. Appears in court for arraignments, motions, trials, sentencings, and other proceedings to represent the Prosecutor.  Selects juries, presents arguments, examines and cross-examines witnesses, introduces physical exhibits, confers with Judge and defense counsel on points of law and procedure and argues factual conclusions to a Judge or jury.
4. Works cooperatively with law enforcement officers from various agencies to ensure investigation and reporting of assigned cases are accomplished in accordance with professional and judicial rules and standards. Provides advice and instructions to police agencies.
5. Attempts to resolve and dispose of pending criminal cases by conferring with attorneys and parties involved in order to reach agreement on pleas and potential sentences.
6. Drafts motions, briefs and other legal documents.
7. Researches the more difficult legal issues through the use of Westlaw and other research sources.  Assists other Assistant Prosecutors in resolving difficult legal questions.
8. Reviews requests for search warrants and authorizes warrants as appropriate.
9. Researches and renders opinions on a wide range of legal issues involving the County and advises county agencies and departments on legal issues.
10. Serves  in  an  on-call  status  to  respond  to  request  for  arrest  and  search  warrants.   Includes responding to police requests for search warrants for blood from suspected drunk drivers and review of lodged charging requests on weekends and holidays.
11. Additional duties or designated responsibilities may vary based on position.

1. May be designated to prosecute criminal sexual conduct cases involving minor child victims.  Such prosecution will involve meeting with and preparing child victims to testify in court proceedings.  It will also necessitate extensive knowledge of the forensic interviewing protocol and observation of forensic interviews of child victims. 

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan (or soon to acquire).
• In good standing with the Michigan State Bar.
• Experience as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney or a closely related capacity.
• Extensive criminal trial experience.
• Extensive knowledge of Michigan law, court rules, and rules of evidence.

Physical Requirements [This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description.  These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements.  Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements]:

• Ability to access all courtrooms within the County.
• Prolonged sitting and standing while in the courtroom.
• Proficient in the use of computers and other technological devices for file management and case presentation.

• Works in office and courtrooms.
• Exposure to individuals charged and/or convicted of a variety of criminal offenses.

Salary : $62,795 - $96,824