D.A.

Job Description

District attorneys, called DAs for short, are experienced, licensed attorneys whose responsibility is to serve as an official prosecutor for a judicial district. Some are appointed to their positions, while others are elected by voters within a judicial district, which may include one or more counties. They work with a team of assistant, or deputy, district attorneys and typically focus on prosecuting felony crimes within the judicial district, although some handle a limited number of misdemeanor trials. District attorneys work closely with local law enforcement, using the evidence they provide to pursue convictions. Elected district attorneys have varying term limits (most commonly four-year terms) and some must be re-elected to keep their job, but the office of the district attorney is generally considered non-partisan. Eligibility requirements vary by judicial district, but most district attorneys will need to have at least five years of experience practicing law before they can be appointed or nominated for the position.

Educational Requirements

It is a given that all district attorneys must be licensed to practice law. This means that would-be district attorneys will need to spend at least 7 years completing their education. You can start on this path by completing your bachelor’s degree in a wide variety of subject areas. Many people find criminal justice majors useful at the undergraduate level because it exposes them early on to facets of the criminal justice system. However, pre-law students who wish to pursue a seat as a district attorney may also find majors in communications or public administration useful. Whatever undergraduate major you choose, you will need to maintain a high GPA and study extensively for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), which qualifies you for entry into law school. Law school typically lasts three years. After graduating from law school and passing the Bar Exam, you should gain several years of experience practicing law. However, all the credentials in the world won’t always get you elected. It will be important to build positive contacts in your community by joining civic groups and participating in local nonprofit fundraisers.

Career Outlook and Salary

How much you will be paid as a district attorney varies greatly by state and region. However, a district attorney’s salary and benefits are public information because the position is funded by local taxpayer dollars. This means you can find out how much the district attorney in your area earns by submitting a public information request to the district clerk at your district courthouse. Entry-level district attorneys earn between $41,116 and $60,500, according to salary data compiled by online compensation site Payscale.com. Those with 1-4 years of experience earn between $47,918 and $64,789, but those with 20 or more years of experience earn between $81,389 and $131,341, according to Payscale. Experienced district attorneys with the right connections may later choose to pursue elected positions as attorneys general, serving as the chief legal official for a state, representing the public’s interests in that state.