Assistant District Attorney - Dane

Overview

Position Summary:

The Dane County (Wisconsin) District Attorney’s Office, located in Madison, Wisconsin, has an immediate opening for an Assistant District Attorney (ADA) to handle a felony caseload. This is a full-time position offering a full state benefit package and is in the unclassified service.

The Dane County District Attorney’s Office values a diverse workforce and encourages female, ethnically and racially diverse, and disabled candidates to apply. We encourage bilingual applicants, but it is not required. Candidates must also show that they are aware of the impact of racial disparities within the criminal justice system but are still committed to the prosecutor’s role in protecting the public.

Consistent with Chapter 978 and other relevant provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes, ADAs have responsibilities that include reviewing referrals from law enforcement agencies and issuing or declining criminal charges consistent with ethical and legal standards; adhering to Chapter 950 requirements and other relevant provisions that relate to notification and treatment of crime victims; prosecuting cases in a professional and ethical manner, which includes the duties as a minister of justice to zealously pursue the truth in court and present facts with candor to courts and juries.

Assigned work of an ADA can include juvenile delinquency, forfeiture actions, criminal misdemeanors, traffic, and felonies. Other duties include providing guidance to law enforcement agencies, social workers, and others that relate to potential or pending prosecutions, including participation in training sessions. This assistance also includes reviewing draft subpoenas and search warrants as prepared by law enforcement.

• Review referrals from law enforcement agencies and issue or decline criminal charges consistent with ethical and legal standards.
• Prosecute cases in a professional and ethical manner, fulfilling the duties of a minister of justice to pursue the truth in court and present facts with candor to courts and juries.
• Handle assigned work that may include juvenile delinquency, forfeiture actions, criminal misdemeanors, traffic, and felonies.
• Provide guidance to law enforcement, social workers, and others related to potential or pending prosecutions, including participation in training sessions.
• Review draft subpoenas and search warrants prepared by law enforcement.

The starting salary for the position will be $78,686 annually ($37.83 per hour). Positions filled as a bilingual ADA (Spanish/English) may be eligible for up to a $1.00 per hour bilingual add-on. Those selected for a bilingual position may be tested on their ability to communicate in Spanish and English prior to appointment.

The Dane County District Attorney’s Office provides parking at a cost of approximately $27 per month in a nearby ramp, and in-house continuing legal education plus financial support to allow ADAs to attend at least one semi-annual statewide prosecutors’ conference each year. The Dane County Board of Supervisors has paid ADAs’ bar dues in past years and this benefit is expected to continue.

Attorneys who are currently employed by the State of Wisconsin are invited to apply and may be able to transfer at their current pay rate. Attorneys who have left the position of Wisconsin elected District Attorney or Assistant District Attorney within the last five years may be able to be hired at a wage rate above the minimum.

Only attorneys who have been admitted to practice law in the State of Wisconsin may be hired.

Please send a cover letter, a resume with three references, and a short writing sample (six pages or less) to Alexandra Grayvold yvold.gov. Include in the cover letter a brief statement that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of racial disparities in the criminal justice system and how a prosecutor should address those disparities. The total application should be a single file in Word or Adobe PDF.

Application materials will be accepted until the needs of the department are met.