If so, they compile and prepare that evidence to seek a plea bargain or pursue a conviction in court. When a defendant pleads not guilty, a preliminary hearing is held to determine whether there is enough evidence to go to trial. Both the prosecution and the defense can present evidence and call witnesses to the stand. Unlike trials, however, a judge, not a jury, considers the evidence, and prelims are generally much shorter. Prelims are governed by specific procedural rules. At the federal level, for example, prelims must take place within 14 days if the defendant is in custody or 21 days if the defendant is out on bail.
Procedures vary at the state level. In some states, the prosecutor can secure an indictment through a grand jury without a prelim. In others, prelims are reserved only for felony cases. In some cases, they might file charges on all the crimes for which the defendant was arrested. In others, they might file reduced charges, or no charges at all.
If a case does go to trial, the spotlight is on the prosecutor. To do that prosecutors have to:. Prosecutor salaries vary depending on location and career level. Assistant U. It is a highly competitive career field, particularly at the federal level where there is a set number of positions. You might take a specialized course of study known as pre-law, but many majors can lead to admission into law school.
The practice of presenting your case and advocating your client's position clearly and persuasively has been likened to an art. Practice and observation will make you a more effective advocate. The people. You will be seeing the same judges, clerks, staff, and opposing attorneys over and over again.
Treat others respectfully and do your job well, and your reputation will spread. Get assigned to high-profile cases. The best way to get a head start on running for the DA's position is to build name recognition in the community. Higher profile cases, such as murder prosecutions, are typically handled by the most experienced assistant district attorneys, if not by the DA personally.
Part 3. Prepare for competition. In whatever county you practice, you can expect that other attorneys within the DA's office will also be vying for the position. In addition to fellow prosecutors, you may also ultimately run against defense attorneys or attorneys from other fields. Pick a state and county in which to run. Choose a location where you have or can develop connections. Note the political leanings of the general public.
Although political majorities shift more often in some areas than others, and although it candidates in a political minority can be successful, you are more likely to succeed if your political stance is consistent with the majority of the voters. Pick a political party. Register with the political party that dominates your chosen state or county.
If you cannot endorse that party's political views, you may want to pick a different county. Otherwise, you will be running as a candidate from a political minority, and have less of a chance of winning an election or securing an appointment.
Be active in your political party. Get to know the most active and influential members of the party, including major campaign donors. Get involved in local political campaigns, and make connections with the campaign manager, fundraisers, volunteer coordinators, and other campaign staff.
Give money to local political campaigns. Even small donations will be appreciated and remembered. Use any family connections. Talk to family and friends who are involved in politics or who have leadership positions in their respective fields such as union representatives.
Don't be afraid to use connections you already have to be build your political network. Get to know the current DA. Volunteer to help the DA's campaign and get to know his or her campaign staff. When the DA retires, he or she may be willing to endorse your candidacy for the position. Connect with the media. Don't be afraid of cameras.
Give interviews and get to know people in the local media. Getting your name out there will generate public interest in your work and will increase the attention your own campaign will receive.
You might also consider becoming a confidential source from inside the DA's office, sharing inside information about organization politics with local reporters.
These reporters may support you when you run for office. Run for another political office. In some counties, it is common for a district attorney to have prior political experience, in addition to legal experience. Research the background of the current DA, prior DAs, and other candidates for the position, and consider running for city council, state representative, or some other political position.
You can hold a political office in addition to your regular career. Part 4. Develop a platform. A district attorney's job description is fairly straightforward: manage and participate in the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of crime in his or her jurisdiction.
You will need to figure out what issues are important to the public, advocate for those positions, and tailor your message to your voters. Then tell your voters why it is important that they vote for you.
Ask yourself: Does the office need to be harder on crime, or reduce overzealous prosecution of minor offenses? Does the office have a good relationship with the police department? Does the office have community outreach programs? File with the local election board. In 47 states, the chief prosecutor is elected by a popular vote. You will need to file with the local election board to run for the office of District Attorney and run a strong campaign.
You may will need to visit your local election board or registrar of voters' office, or file online through the office's website. Review campaign rules. Your state and its state bar will have many rules for campaigning, particularly campaign finance regulations, which cover how to accept, handle, and report donations to your campaign. Build your campaign team. Make sure that your efforts are headed by an experienced campaign manager and fundraisers.
Then fill your ranks with friends, family, and other volunteers. You will need the insight and expertise of other people, and you also need to show your constituents that you can work well as part of a team. Recruit from among campaign personnel from other political campaigns for which you volunteered or donated.
While you should definitely consider bringing people on board who have former experience with campaigning, also focus on selecting people who share the same vision as you and who can bring fresh insight to the challenges you will face. Check with the heads of academic departments to see if they can recommend any students who may be in need of work experience. Contact the local offices of political parties. Local branches of political parties may have an established list of volunteers who are willing to help on campaigns.
Get a website up and running. Create a website where voters can view your campaign message and positions on the relevant issues. A career as a district attorney DA is an excellent option for those who care about truth and justice and would like to work in public service.
There are a lot of things you need to do to enter into this profession and succeed. Here is what we recommend. In order to succeed in your career you must know what is expected of you at all times. As a DA, you will be required to prosecute criminals with the aim of rectifying their wrongdoings and making them better members of the public.
You will be required to exercise your duties without fear or favor and work to promote truth and justice. Other duties will include analyzing and gathering evidence to identify facts surrounding a particular case and controlling proceedings at the court.
Most district attorneys begin their profession as lawyers who specialize in criminal law. The degree should be in law or anything related. Find a school that has a good reputation. You need to earn a Juris Doctor J.
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