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What is an assistant district attorney and how to become one
An assistant district attorney is a government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal cases. He/she works directly under the district attorney and assists him/her in managing all departmental operations. An assistant district attorney represents the government on behalf of the district attorney and assists the DA in researching, examining, and prosecuting individuals accused of committing crimes within a county.
An assistant district attorney works very closely with law enforcement officers and crime victims to prepare for cases. They have the power to prosecute any level of cases ranging from minor offenses to serious cases. Another essential duty of an assistant district attorney is policy formulation and implementation within the department.
Assistant district attorneys have a flexible work schedule. They may work long hours, especially when they are preparing for trials or when handling emergencies.
What general advice would you give to an assistant district attorney?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.
Associate Professor of Paralegal Studies, Website
Avg. Salary $73,970
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 10%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%
Asian 6.26%
Black or African American 5.43%
Hispanic or Latino 7.64%
Unknown 4.36%
White 75.99%
Genderfemale 44.83%
male 55.17%
Age - 45American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 45Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Assistant district attorney career paths
Key steps to become an assistant district attorney
Explore assistant district attorney education requirements
Start to develop specific assistant district attorney skills
Skills Percentages Felony Cases 7.09% Criminal Justice 6.61% Criminal Cases 6.12% Litigation 5.98% Crime Scenes 5.62% Complete relevant assistant district attorney training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assistant district attorneys learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an assistant district attorney based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assistant district attorney resumes.Research assistant district attorney duties and responsibilities
- Draft search warrants, cell site orders, and subpoenas on a frequent basis as part of developing and managing investigations.
- Handle all phases of criminal prosecution including witness interviews, grand jury presentations, hearings, trials and appeals.
- Draft briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, contracts and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
- Research and co-authore multiple briefs for interlocutory appeals regarding suppression of evidence.
Prepare your assistant district attorney resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assistant district attorney resume.
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Apply for assistant district attorney jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an assistant district attorney job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first assistant district attorney job
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Average assistant district attorney salary
The average assistant district attorney salary in the United States is $73,970 per year or $36 per hour. Assistant district attorney salaries range between $50,000 and $108,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
