Guide to a Career as an Assistant District Attorney

Assistant district attorneys are judicial employees who work for the District Attorney's office in a particular state or region. Assistant district attorneys are responsible for indicting criminals and prosecuting them in court. Most of an assistant district attorney's day is spent inside the court room, attempting to put criminals in jail.

Although assistant district attorneys are hired rather than elected, their jobs still involve a certain amount of political pressure. Any case has the potential to become political in nature, from civil rights to gun laws to public policy. They are required to uphold the sanctity of the law while still maintaining ethics in court room strategy.

In order to become an assistant district attorney, you will need a degree of Juris Doctor from a law school. You will subsequently be required to pass the BAR exam in your state, and then you must apply to the district attorney's officer where you want to work.

You will have to realize that a job as an assistant district attorney will require multifaceted job duties. You will probably have to work with local police departments and advise police officers and detectives in the investigation of crimes. You can be assigned to a variety of different segments of the law; district attorney offices are organized differently in different areas of the United States.

Assistant district attorneys are also responsible for examining and following evidence as presented by their own investigators or those of the police. A knowledge of forensics and due process is necessary. They are responsible for obtaining warrants for searches, seizures and arrests and must work closely with law enforcement in order to achieve a common goal.

The life of an assistant district attorney can be difficult, with long hours for little pay. They are often on call in the middle of the night if they are needed to assist law enforcement in an investigation. Their time is split between their own offices, the offices of police officers and the courtroom, and will work closely with victims if they work in violent crimes.

Assistant district attorneys work directly for the district attorney and their salaries can range from under $30,000 to more than $80,000. In some U.S. states, an assistant district attorney might be called a County Prosecutor, a Commonwealth's Attorney or a State's Attorney. The name is not important, however, as the job is the same.

The requirements for an assistant district attorney include the proper education, the ability to pass a background and drug test, and the ability to pass the Bar examination. If you are in high school and are considering a career as an assistant district attorney, you might consider interning at the DA's office to get an idea for how the system works and how you might enjoy a career as an assistant district attorney.