Temporary Deputy District Attorney - County Court
Job Number: 415
Salary: $40/hour
Department/Office: District Attorney
Division: District Attorney's Office
Location: 6450 S. Revere Pkwy, Centennial, CO, 80111
Job Type : Temporary
Posting Date: 02/12/2026
Closing Date: 02/26/2026
The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we're here for our neighbors on their best days-and their worst. We share our residents' goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we're proud to call home.
Arapahoe County and the District Attorney's Office for the 18th Judicial District has an exciting opportunity for a Temporary Deputy District Attorney - County Court.
Are you passionate about seeking justice for victims of crime? Do you want to become a trial lawyer who strives for justice in the courtroom, day in and day out? Look no further than the Office of the 18th Judicial District Attorney, covering the south Denver Metropolitan Area and serving over a million Coloradans. We are Colorado's most diverse jurisdiction.
Our Jurisdiction - Explore All Colorado Has to Offer
We are perfectly situated to the east of the mountains and between Colorado's two largest cities. Directly to the north is Denver, offering nightlife, performing arts venues, and all 5 major professional sports teams. Directly to the west are the Rocky Mountains, home to world class ski resorts, hiking, mountain biking, and rafting. Directly to the south is Colorado Springs, home to the Garden of the Gods, the Air Force Academy, Olympic Training Center, and Pikes Peak.
Career Advancement - The Start of a Journey Fighting for Victims
Joining our team as a Deputy District Attorney in county court is the first step in a career as a prosecutor. We pride ourselves in our dedication to training and preparing our new Deputy District Attorneys to excel as trial attorneys, courtroom advocates, and most importantly, "ministers of justice."
Deputy District Attorneys in county court prosecute misdemeanor offenses such as assaults, child abuse, domestic violence, DUIs, and sex offenses.
After gaining experience and courtroom skills in county court, our Deputy District Attorneys have advancement opportunities into district court, where they handle all levels of felony offenses, from motor vehicle theft to murder.
We also offer promotional opportunities into many specialized prosecution units, allowing experienced Deputy District Attorneys to focus on and become experts in their chosen field. In addition to general misdemeanor, juvenile, and felony units, our office has units and teams of prosecutors dedicated to Appeals, Cold Cases, Domestic Violence, Economic Crimes, Elder and At-Risk Victims, Hate Crimes, Human Trafficking, Organized Crime, Problem Solving Courts, Special Victims, and Vehicular Homicides.
More Than Just a Workplace
Our office is more than just a place to work - it's a place you want to work. Just some of our office events are a yearly chili cook-off challenge, a cornhole tournament, and wildlife photo contest. We have an office softball and golf team. We hold an annual winter holiday party, trick-or-treat street, and frequent summer BBQs on our office grills.
Skills and Expertise - Learn from Experience
To be the best, you should learn from the best. Our office is staffed with experienced prosecutors who have tried some of the highest profile and most complex cases in Colorado history. You'll find our Chief and Senior Deputy District Attorneys teaching at law schools and both statewide and national conferences.
Our office strives to be at the forefront of prosecution. From leading the state in giving the public an unprecedented level of insight into our office with our data dashboards, solving decades old cold case murders through DNA analysis from our dedicated forensic crime lab, to solving crimes through digital data analysis of cellphones and geo-location analysis.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:
The Temporary Deputy District Attorney - County Court is the first step in a career as a prosecutor with the 18th Judicial District. In county court, attorney's will prosecute misdemeanor offenses such as assaults, domestic violence, DUIs, and sex offenses. After gaining experience and courtroom skills in county court, Deputy District Attorneys have advancement opportunities into district court, where they handle all levels of felony offenses, from motor vehicle theft to murder.
DUTIES:
Manages a docket of traffic and misdemeanor cases, to include initial and on-going case review, follow-up with law enforcement agencies, negotiations with defense counsel, meeting with witnesses and victims, and preparing and conducting motions and trial.
REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to gain extensive knowledge of state statutes, county ordinances, and constitutional /substantive case law related to motor vehicle, misdemeanor, and petty offense violations.
Ability to gain extensive knowledge of the Colorado Criminal Code, the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, the Colorado Rules of Evidence, and the Colorado Victim Rights Act, which all apply to this assignment.
Ability to advocate legal and factual scenarios in a clear and persuasive manner to judges and jurors.
Ability to effectively process and dispose of a high volume of criminal case filings while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants.
Ability to rapidly assess cases for strengths versus weaknesses and aggravators versus mitigators to determine just and ethical dispositions that are within policies promulgated by the elected District Attorney.
Capacity to recognize situations warranting potential policy/procedure exceptions, and the ability to effectively advocate for alternative resolutions.
Must be able to react quickly and appropriately in court to defense objections, oral motions, court inquiries and rulings, and presentations/responses from defense attorneys and witnesses.
Demonstrate an aptitude for mastering software programs applicable to the assignment.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, defense attorneys codefendants, victims, witnesses, judges, court staff, law enforcement and related agencies' personnel, press/media, reporters, and the general public is essential; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same are also necessary for success in this role.
Education and Experience:
Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.
No Experience required
Necessary Special Requirements:
Licensed or eligible for licensure to practice law in the State of Colorado and a valid driver's license.
We accept applicants licensed to practice in other states who would be eligible to gain licensure in Colorado.
We also accept applications and make contingent offers to strong candidates who are planning to take the Colorado Bar exam in the upcoming year.
Timeline for application:
We accept applications and hire temporary DDAs for individuals who are in their 3rd year of law school, approaching graduation, and are scheduled to take the Colorado Bar Exam in July. This application typically opens in the Spring prior to graduation.
While the hiring and interview process occurs in the Spring, the starting date is after the July bar exam, in August. The specific start date in August is flexible.
Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:
Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
Possession of a valid Class "R" Colorado Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is split between a standard office environment, attending court, responding to crime scenes, and meetings inside and outside of the office with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses in various settings.
Remote work may be permitted as provided by Office policies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.
Spends 90% of the time sitting and 10% of the time either standing or walking.
Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.
Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).
Definitions:
Definitions:
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.
** Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.
** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.
Employee Benefits Summary Brochure (https://files.arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Benefit_Summary.pdf)
Nearest Major Market: Denver
