How to hire a deputy prosecuting attorney

How to hire a deputy prosecuting attorney, step by step

Here's a step-by-step deputy prosecuting attorney hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a deputy prosecuting attorney job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new deputy prosecuting attorney
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the deputy prosecuting attorney you need to hire. Certain deputy prosecuting attorney roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A deputy prosecuting attorney's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, deputy prosecuting attorneys from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of deputy prosecuting attorney salaries for various roles:

   Type of Deputy Prosecuting Attorney	Description	Hourly rate
   Deputy Prosecuting Attorney	Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.	$24-55
   General Counsel	A general counsel, also called a chief legal officer, is the chief lawyer in the legal department of an organization. The counsel represents an enterprise for any pending legal matters... Show more	$36-100
   Legal Counsel	A Legal Counsel supervises the legal aspects of a business. They give accurate and timely counsel to executives on a variety of legal topics, such as labor law, partnerships, or international ventures.	$38-103

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Legal Research
   • Jury Trials
   • District Court
   • Litigation
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Felony Cases
   • Criminal Justice
   • Misdemeanor Cases
   • Ethics
   • Appeals
   • Motion Hearings
   • Defense Counsel
   • Criminal Cases
   • Criminal Law

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage, train and mentore newly hire ADA's in courtroom management and trial advocacy.
   • Sign charges, write subpoenas, interview law enforcement, interview witnesses, negotiate with defense attorneys.
   • Oversee all aspects of entire misdemeanor court docket, charging decisions through appeals process.
   • Monitor paralegals and litigation support personnel.
   • Review cases for administrative enforcement of child support orders and administrative appeals.
   • Schedule depositions, appointments, victim contact, determine restitution and prepare subpoenas.

   More deputy prosecuting attorney duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the deputy prosecuting attorney job description is a good way to get more applicants. A deputy prosecuting attorney salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a deputy prosecuting attorney in South Carolina may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level deputy prosecuting attorney. Additionally, a deputy prosecuting attorney with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average deputy prosecuting attorney salary

   $77,440yearly

   $37.23 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level deputy prosecuting attorney salary

   $51,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average deputy prosecuting attorney salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$98,411	$47
   2	District of Columbia	$86,038	$41
   3	Colorado	$84,418	$41
   4	Washington	$83,388	$40
   5	New York	$79,918	$38
   6	Utah	$72,268	$35
   7	Virginia	$71,317	$34
   8	Maryland	$71,164	$34
   9	Idaho	$65,873	$32
   10	Arkansas	$57,233	$28
   11	Indiana	$51,300	$25

   Average deputy prosecuting attorney salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Earthjustice	$149,534	$71.89	45
   2	King County	$82,739	$39.78	4
   3	Skagit County	$78,771	$37.87
   4	Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County	$78,171	$37.58
   5	Salt Lake County	$77,215	$37.12	12
   6	County of Riverside	$74,740	$35.93	42
   7	Ada County	$74,536	$35.83	2
   8	Canyon County	$73,765	$35.46	8
   9	City of Baltimore	$73,246	$35.21	3
   10	Yakima Schools	$65,361	$31.42

4. Writing a deputy prosecuting attorney job description

   A good deputy prosecuting attorney job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a deputy prosecuting attorney job description:

   Deputy prosecuting attorney job description example

   The Ada County Prosecutor's Office is dedicated to serving Idaho's largest community, keeping it a safe place to live and work, giving a voice to crime victims and advocating for the citizens of Ada County.
   
   We offer a competitive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental and visioninsurance; generous vacation and sick leave accrual beginning as soon as you start; 12 paid holidays a year; participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systemswhich includes11.94% employer contribution; various savings plans including a deferred compensation 457(b) plan with up to 3% county match; 401K plan; paid parental leave; work-from-home options; life insurance; wellness programs; ongoing training opportunities and career pathing.Student loan forgiveness eligibility:The Ada County Prosecutor's Office is a qualifying employer under the Federal Public Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program (certain conditions apply).
   
   This generous Ada County Total Rewards package increases the base salary by approximately 40 percent.
   $70,728/year + DOE
   
   The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I- Research and Writing Specialist, examines, analyzes and researches legal and factual issues, performs legal research and writes briefs, motions, and legal memoranda. This position is located in the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Criminal Division.
   
   DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
   
   The Deputy Prosecuting Attorney I -Research and Writing Specialist will be responsible for preparing pleadings and responses to applications for post-conviction relief, conducting legal research and representing the State at post-conviction evidentiary hearings. The incumbent will assist trial attorneys with motions and responsive pleadings in ongoing litigation cases. Will handle some appeals before the district court sitting in an appellate capacity.
   
   Essential Functions
   
   * Drafts legal documents such as motions, orders, and memoranda;
   * Conducts legal research and keeps abreast of Court decisions and legislation affecting the Idaho Criminal Code;
   * Demonstrates the conduct and behavior of a team player by helping create a professional and rewarding work environment for all Prosecuting Attorney employees;
   * Manages a heavy caseload effectively and in a timely manner;
   * Appears in court and documents cases during oral arguments and post-conviction evidentiary hearings;
   * Supports and interacts with other team members to ensure effective caseload management;
   * Communicates effectively and maintains high credibility with the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, victims, witnesses, and co-workers;
   * Collaborates with the Victim-Witness Unit when appropriate to ease trauma to victims and/or witnesses exposed to the criminal justice system;
   * Treats pro se litigants, victims, law enforcement officers, witnesses, members of the public, support staff, colleagues and victim-witness staff with dignity and respect;
   * Maintains collegial relationship with defense counsel and treats all counsel fairly.
   
   ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
   
   * Shall serve at the direction and discretion of the Prosecuting Attorney and shall perform any and all job functions assigned by the Prosecuting Attorney;
   * Attends CLE courses to develop legal advocacy and maintains bar membership and good standing with the Idaho State Bar;
   
   Job Requirements
   
   * Graduate of an accredited law school and member of the Idaho State Bar;
   * Knowledge of Idaho Statutes, case law, rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and criminal jury instructions;
   * Mastery in written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills;
   * Ability to analyze legal issues from lengthy and complex records;
   * Ability to prioritize effectively and work both independently and cooperatively;
   * Knowledge of online legal research tools such as Westlaw and LexisNexis;
   * Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with victims, witnesses, members of other agencies, and co-workers;
   * Ability to maintain confidentiality;
   * Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively;
   * Ability to be a good team player;
   * Ability to exercise good judgment;
   * Ability to conduct self in a professional manner both inside and outside the courtroom;
   * Ability to manage a high-volume case load;
   
   OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
   
   * Must possess a strong work ethic.
   * Must maintain the highest of ethical standards.
   * This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
   
   Work Environment & Physical Demands
   
   * Work is performed primarily in an office environment and the employee in this class is subject to inside environmental conditions;
   * Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to permit the employee to function in a general office environment and accomplish tasks.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find deputy prosecuting attorneys for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your deputy prosecuting attorney job on Zippia to find and recruit deputy prosecuting attorney candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit deputy prosecuting attorneys, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new deputy prosecuting attorney

   Once you have selected a candidate for the deputy prosecuting attorney position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new deputy prosecuting attorney first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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