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Prosecutor vs assistant state attorney

The differences between prosecutors and assistant state attorneys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a prosecutor and an assistant state attorney. Additionally, an assistant state attorney has an average salary of $82,255, which is higher than the $68,988 average annual salary of a prosecutor.

The top three skills for a prosecutor include jury trials, legal research and criminal cases. The most important skills for an assistant state attorney are litigation, criminal cases, and appeals.

Prosecutor vs assistant state attorney overview

ProsecutorAssistant State Attorney
Yearly salary$68,988$82,255
Hourly rate$33.17$39.55
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs7499,855
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Doctoral Degree, 51%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

Prosecutor vs assistant state attorney salary

Prosecutors and assistant state attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.

ProsecutorAssistant State Attorney
Average salary$68,988$82,255
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $98,000Between $55,000 And $122,000
Highest paying City-Oakland, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-State Attorney's Office
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between prosecutor and assistant state attorney education

There are a few differences between a prosecutor and an assistant state attorney in terms of educational background:

ProsecutorAssistant State Attorney
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Doctoral Degree, 51%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Prosecutor vs assistant state attorney demographics

Here are the differences between prosecutors' and assistant state attorneys' demographics:

ProsecutorAssistant State Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 55.0% Female, 45.0%Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 6.5% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between prosecutor and assistant state attorney duties and responsibilities

Prosecutor example responsibilities.

  • Manage, train and mentore newly hire ADA's in courtroom management and trial advocacy.
  • Draft findings for defendants to stand trial, appeals and dismissals.
  • Type various legal documents, including complaints, journal entries, and subpoenas.
  • Draft subpoenas, warrants and legal documents relating to family court and civil court matters.
  • Conduct pre-trial investigations and negotiations; prepare and litigate motions and appeals; present hearings and trials.
  • Maintain contact with local law enforcement about ongoing investigations and litigation.
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Assistant state attorney example responsibilities.

  • Manage all phases of criminal investigations including grand jury subpoenas and witness testimony.
  • Provide training to other assistant state's attorneys on DUI topics and general trial technique
  • Prosecute misdemeanor and felony traffic offenses that include DUI, narcotics, and fleeing/eluding police.
  • Draft appellate responses to misdemeanor appeals
  • Research and draft several successful appeals.
  • Review cases, prepare discovery, and issue subpoenas under statutorily impose deadlines.
  • Show more

Prosecutor vs assistant state attorney skills

Common prosecutor skills
  • Jury Trials, 15%
  • Legal Research, 13%
  • Criminal Cases, 8%
  • Legal Advice, 8%
  • Motion Hearings, 7%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
Common assistant state attorney skills
  • Litigation, 16%
  • Criminal Cases, 10%
  • Appeals, 7%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Criminal Division, 5%
  • District Court, 5%