what is an administrative assistant district attorney

by Boris Boyle 10 min read

Administrative assistant district attorney (admin ADA), executive assistant district attorney (exec ADA), chief assistant district attorney (chief ADA), or first assistant district attorney (First ADA) are some of the titles given to the senior ADA leadership working under the DA.

The general duties include answering the telephones, pulling daily dockets, organizing, maintaining, and retrieving case files. Acts as a liaison between attorneys, courts, witnesses, victims, other departments and agencies, as well as the public.

Full Answer

How hard is becoming an assistant district attorney?

An assistant district attorney (ADA) is a member of law enforcement who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the city or county district attorney’s office.There are many different types of ADAs and positions depend on experience and specialty, such as civil or criminal law. Your primary duties as an assistant district attorney are to ...

How to become an assistant district attorney?

Assistant District Attorney. The candidate will handle felony criminal matters. Assist on the entire spectrum from intake, to jury trial, and through appeal. Trial skills, case analysis, and plea negotiation skills are required. Include any duties assigned, and may include revocation hearings, asset seizures and forfeitures, bond forfeitures, etc.

How much money do assistant district attorneys make?

Mar 13, 2020 · Step 3: Enter Law School. Law school is a critical part of district attorney schooling and takes three years to complete. In the beginning of the program, students focus on areas involving general law practices like civil procedure, torts and criminal law.

What does a district attorney even do?

An assistant attorney in the state's attorney office helps carry out the policy of the state's attorney. He or she may conduct legal research and represent the state's attorney in routine legal issues. Assistant attorneys in this position must understand civil law, criminal law and rules of procedure. In addition, assistant attorneys in the ...

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How much does an assistant district attorney make in California?

How much does an Assistant District Attorney make in California? The average Assistant District Attorney salary in California is $70,432 as of March 29, 2022, but the range typically falls between $55,872 and $86,316.

How much does an assistant US district attorney make?

The salaries of Assistant District Attorneys in the US range from $12,373 to $334,332 , with a median salary of $60,340 . The middle 57% of Assistant District Attorneys makes between $60,340 and $151,574, with the top 86% making $334,332.

How much does an assistant district attorney make in Florida?

How much does an Assistant District Attorney make in Florida? The average Assistant District Attorney salary in Florida is $59,768 as of February 25, 2022, but the range typically falls between $47,411 and $73,240.

How much do NYC assistant district attorneys make?

The starting salary for Assistant District Attorneys is $72,000 for recent law school graduates not yet admitted to the practice of law, and $72,500 for newly admitted attorneys.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Medical Attorneys Medical lawyers are among the highest-paid types of lawyers and earn one of the highest median salaries in the legal field.

What type of lawyers make the most money?

Types Of Lawyers That Make The Most MoneyMedical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.Dec 18, 2020

How much does a DA make?

How much does a District Attorney make? The average District Attorney in the US makes $77,118. The average bonus for a District Attorney is $7,054 which represents 9% of their salary, with 100% of people reporting that they receive a bonus each year.

How much does a ADA in New York City make?

ADA in New York City, NY Area SalariesJob TitleLocationSalaryBronx County District Attorney's Office ADA salaries - 12 salaries reportedNew York City, NY Area$76,169/yrQueens District Attorney ADA salaries - 8 salaries reportedNew York City, NY Area$76,281/yr18 more rows•Dec 13, 2021

How much money does a Ada make in New York City?

Assistant District Attorney in New York City, NY, United States Area SalariesJob TitleLocationSalaryNew York County District Attorney Assistant District Attorney salaries - 52 salaries reportedNew York City, NY, United States AreaUS$81,927/yr19 more rows

Who is the current Manhattan district attorney?

The office is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws (federal law violations in Manhattan are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York). The current district attorney is Alvin Bragg. He was elected in 2021 to succeed Cyrus Vance Jr.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

There is no designated major that prospective lawyers need to take; however, students should pursue a degree that will provide them with critical-thinking, communication and research skills. Students may want to look for a program that is loaded with courses in writing, speech, political science, history and philosophy.

Step 2: Take the LSAT

In order to apply to law school, students will need to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is a standardized exam that tests applicants on reading comprehension, logical reasoning and analytical thinking. Many law schools require that candidates sign up with an account at the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).

Step 3: Enter Law School

Law school is a critical part of district attorney schooling and takes three years to complete. In the beginning of the program, students focus on areas involving general law practices like civil procedure, torts and criminal law. After gaining a foundation in the field, students can choose electives suited to their future work.

Step 4: Become Licensed

Lawyers must be licensed in the state in which they want to work. Depending on the state government, lawyers may be required to take several different exams in order to become licensed. While all states require lawyers to complete a General Bar Exam, some state governments may prefer that lawyers take the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE).

Step 5: Work in a District Attorney's Office

After graduating from law school and obtaining work experience, lawyers may apply to a district attorney's office. Candidates must have an interest in criminal justice and the judicial process and demonstrate strong litigation skills. Assistant district attorneys may also need to complete training at the DA office.

What is a district attorney?

In the United States, a district attorney ( DA ), state's attorney, prosecuting attorney, commonwealth's attorney, or state attorney is the chief prosecutor and/or chief law enforcement officer representing a U.S. state in a local government area, typically a county. The exact name and scope of the office varies by state.

What is the jurisdiction of a district attorney?

The geographical jurisdiction of a district attorney may be delineated by the boundaries of a county, judicial circuit, or judicial district. Their duties generally include charging crimes through informations and/or grand jury indictments.

What is a prosecutor district?

This term for a prosecutor originates with the traditional use of the term "district" for multi-county prosecutorial jurisdictions in several U.S. states. For example, New York appointed prosecutors to multi-county districts prior to 1813.

What does a county attorney do?

For example, in Arizona, Missouri, Montana, and Minnesota a county attorney represents the county and state within their county, prosecutes all felonies occurring within the county, and prosecutes misdemeanors occurring within unincorporated areas of the county.

What is a county prosecutor in Ohio?

In Ohio a county prosecutor represents the county and state within their county, prosecutes all crimes within the county, and is legal adviser to the board of county commissioners, board of elections, and all other county officers and boards.

What is the role of a prosecutor?

In carrying out their duties, prosecutors have the authority to investigate persons, grant immunity to witnesses and accused criminals, and plea bargain with defendants. A district attorney leads a staff of prosecutors, who are most commonly known as deputy district attorneys (DDAs).

What is a DA?

In the United States, a district attorney ( DA ), state's attorney, prosecuting attorney, commonwealth's attorney, or state attorney is the chief prosecutor and/or chief law enforcement officer representing a U.S. state in a local government area, typically a county. The exact name and scope of the office varies by state.

What an Assistant Attorney Does

Assistant attorneys may work in several offices at different levels of government. District attorneys', public defenders' and state attorneys' offices all hire assistant attorneys. Depending on the employer, an assistant attorney may argue cases for the plaintiff or defendant.

Duties in a District Attorney's Office

Assistant attorneys in a district attorney's office represent their state as trial attorneys in all cases. They also act as the petitioner for children, the mentally ill and juvenile defendants. They may provide training for government agencies.

Duties in a Public Defender's Office

Assistant attorneys can also be found working for the state under the public defender's office. As a public defender, an assistant attorney provides legal representation for defendants without counsel. In this capacity, assistant attorneys use functional knowledge of methods, principles and practices of criminal law to argue criminal cases.

Duties in a State Attorney's Office

An assistant attorney in the state's attorney office helps carry out the policy of the state's attorney. He or she may conduct legal research and represent the state's attorney in routine legal issues. Assistant attorneys in this position must understand civil law, criminal law and rules of procedure.

What is a district attorney?

A district attorney typically works for a county or state government and acts as the prosecutor in criminal cases. Each state maintains a justice department responsible for criminal prosecutions. Cities, towns and counties also maintain justice departments responsible for prosecuting crimes against local and state ordinances.

Requirements for a district attorney

Here are the requirements that aspiring district attorneys need to fulfill before finding work in the field:

Top skills for district attorney

Here are the top skills that a district attorney typically needs to succeed:

Work environment for district attorneys

While much of a district attorney's job can take place in a legal office, they can also work in other locations like libraries and courtrooms.

Salary and job outlook for district attorneys

The national average salary for attorneys in the United States, including district attorneys, is currently $94,578 per year, which is a very competitive salary. However, the compensation that a district attorney receives can vary depending on their education level, experience and skills obtained throughout their career.

What is the AODA?

The Administrative Office of the District Attorneys (AODA) administers the New Mexico District Attorney Personnel and Compensation Plan, prepares and distributes uniform forms and procedures manuals, and develops uniform systems for use by District Attorneys’ Offices with respect to administrative, personnel, and budgetary matters.

What is the AODA in New Mexico?

The Administrative Office of the District Attorneys' (AODA) is a state agency created to support and promote the work of all of New Mexico’s District Attorneys, including but not limited to support, training, ...

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Overview

Assistant district attorney

The assistant district attorney (assistant DA, ADA) (or state prosecutor or assistant state's attorney) is a law enforcement official who represents the state government on behalf of the district attorney in investigating and prosecuting individuals alleged to have committed a crime. In carrying out their duties to enforce state and local laws, ADA have the authority to investigate persons, is…

History

This term for a prosecutor originates with the traditional use of the term "district" for multi-county prosecutorial jurisdictions in several U.S. states. For example, New York appointed prosecutors to multi-county districts prior to 1813. Even after those states broke up such districts and started appointing or electing prosecutors for individual counties, they continued to use the title "district attorney" for the most senior prosecutor in a county rather than switch to "county attorney".

Role

The principal duties of the district attorney are usually mandated by law and include representing the State in all criminal trials for crimes which occurred in the district attorney's geographical jurisdiction. The geographical jurisdiction of a district attorney may be delineated by the boundaries of a county, judicial circuit, or judicial district.
Their duties generally include charging crimes through informationsand/or grand jury indictment…

Departments

The district attorney usually divides their services into several departments that handle different areas of criminal law. Each department is staffed by several duly appointed and sworn ASAs. The departments of a large district attorney's office may include but are not limited to: felony, misdemeanor, domestic violence, traffic, juvenile, charging (or case filing), drug prosecution, forfeitures, civil affairs such as eminent domain, child advocacy, child support, victim assistance…

Nomenclature

The name of the role of local prosecutor may vary by state or jurisdiction based on whether they serve a county or a multi-county district, the responsibility to represent the state or county in addition to prosecution, or local historical customs.
District attorney and assistant district attorney are the most common titles for state prosecutors, and are used by jurisdictions within the United States including California, Delaware, Georgia, Mas…

Appeals

Depending on state law, appeals are moved to appellate courts (also called appeals courts, courts of appeals, superior courts, or supreme courts in some states). During the appeals process district attorneys, in many cases, hands all relative prosecutorial materials to a state appellate prosecutor who in turn will represent the state in appellate courts with the advice and consent of the district attorney.

District attorney investigators

Some district attorneys maintain their own law enforcement arm whose members are sworn peace officers. Depending on the jurisdiction, they are referred to as district attorney investigators or county detectives.