Prosecutor Fellowship Program
The Division of Criminal Justice is actively recruiting up to six (6) Prosecutor Fellows for the Fall of 2025.
The Division of Criminal Justice (Division) and its employees are committed to the fair and equal administration of justice in Connecticut. To this end, the Division acknowledges its duty to investigate and prosecute matters within its jurisdiction diligently, ethically and impartially, honoring its constitutional and common law foundations. By ensuring that the criminal laws of the State of Connecticut are enforced fairly and constitutionally, the Division honors the rule of law upon which our nation is founded. Accomplishing this mission depends upon skill, creativity, and constructive interaction of all Division employees with the law enforcement community and advocacy in the highest traditions of the Office of State's Attorney, the first public prosecutor in America.
A prosecutor is a high public official, who is ethically honor and duty-bound to seek impartial justice for the guilty as well as the innocent and who, in doing so, is beholden to the law, which demands that no passion, prejudice or resentment be brought to bear in its faithful enforcement.
Through the lens of justice, prosecutors:
- Have an immense ability to positively impact the criminal justice system;
- Have the discretion to choose who to charge, what to charge them with, and determine the number and severity of the charges; and
- Heavily influence the short and long-term outcomes of people impacted by the system.
The consequences of those decisions can mean the difference between the success or failure of someone touched by the system.
Purpose of Position
In the Division of Criminal Justice, this position is accountable for receiving extensive and diverse training as a prosecutor and representing the interests of the state as a Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, under the auspices of senior staff, in the prosecution of assigned criminal and motor vehicle cases and/or conducting research and writing appellate and habeas briefs in preparation for argument.
The position is for a term lasting up to two years. It is anticipated that the employee will work at either the Office of the Chief State's Attorney in Rocky Hill in one of the specialized units or one of the thirteen State's Attorney's Offices located in Judicial Districts around the State. Acceptance of a Fellowship position does not preclude the individual from applying for any open permanent Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney positions during the two-year Fellowship period.
Supervision Received
Works under the general supervision of an Assistant State’s Attorney within a Judicial District location and/or within one of the specialized units of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.
Examples of Duties
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Review applications for arrest warrants and, upon approval, sign and present to presiding judge for final review and signature;
- Review of documentation relative to assigned criminal cases and infractions; may recommend and participate in supplemental or further investigation;
- Prepare cases for arraignment, including the selection of appropriate charges, and prepare original statement of facts;
- Review outstanding defense motions and prepare responses or objections as appropriate;
- Conduct interviews of witnesses and victims; evaluate strengths and weaknesses of case in light of all relevant findings;
- Initiate and complete related legal research;
- Participate in plea negotiation with defense attorneys, pre-trial conferences, and jury selection;
- Participate in the trying of cases at Part A and Part B levels before juries, three-judge panels, a single judge, or magistrate;
- Prepare appellate material for submission to Chief State's Attorney's Office after conviction;
- May review applications for search and seizure warrants;
- Develop relationships with and serve as a resource to state and local police;
- Advise victims of crimes as to their rights and direct them to the appropriate supportive agencies;
- Defend petitions of habeas corpus including preparation of pleadings, argument of motions, and trial of action;
- Defend appeals brought by convicted defendants before the Appellate Court and Supreme Court; and
- Perform related duties as required.
Status and Benefits
This is a full-time, forty-hours-per-week position. The hours of work are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one-hour unpaid lunch, Monday through Friday. The successful candidate will be required to participate in the prevailing State of CT Employees Retirement Service (SERS) during her/his/their term of employment. Health insurance and group life insurance benefits will be available. The rate of pay is $43.58 per hour.
Minimum Requirements
For positions beginning in September of 2025, an applicant must plan to take the Connecticut Bar Exam no later than July of 2025. Until the successful applicant passes the Connecticut Bar Exam and is sworn in as a member of the Connecticut Bar, they will act as a Certified Legal Intern pursuant to Connecticut Practice Book § 3-14, et. seq.
Eligible law students must be in their third year of law school (fourth year for night students) with a graduation date of no later than May of 2025.
Please submit your resume, cover letter, writing sample and transcripts by September 15, 2024 for consideration for Fall 2025 placement.
The Division of Criminal Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.