Agency Level: County
County: St. Joseph
Agency: County Prosecutor’s Office
Job Title: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Work Location: Centreville, Michigan & Three Rivers, Michigan
Department: Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Reports To: Chief Prosecutor & Chief Assistant Prosecutor
Salary: $81,244.00 – $105,617.00 Yearly
Benefits:
- MERS Retirement, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off/Holidays
Experience Level:
Position: Full-Time
Posting Date: 03/03/2026
Open Until Filled
Job Overview:
The Assistant Prosecuting Attorney II represents the People of the State of Michigan on behalf of the Prosecuting Attorney in civil proceedings, administrative hearings, and criminal proceedings; and prosecutes cases in both District and Circuit Court. Reviews and authorizes requests for felony and misdemeanor warrants; Personal Protection Order (PPO) violations; and determines the appropriate charges or disposition. Coordinates with law enforcement regarding preparation and presentation for trial; attempts to resolve and dispose of criminal cases; meets with witnesses and victims; tries cases in court; and provides legal advice to staff including regarding discovery and FOIA. May assist with the Probate Court, abuse/neglect, or child support caseload as needed; reviews petitions to set aside criminal convictions and for post-judgment relief and appears at hearings.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Evaluates felony and misdemeanor warrant requests from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Analyzes police reports and digital evidence, and researches applicable statutes to determine if grounds exist for a warrant. Authorizes appropriate charges for offenses, including all misdemeanors; property, drug, financial, and other nonviolent felonies; and may be assigned other felony cases including criminal sexual conduct violent crimes against persons.
- Researches and prepares criminal cases for trial, motions, sentencing, and other proceedings. Conducts legal research using approved, verified sources and databases to investigate applicable law and updated cases; interviews and prepares victims and potential witnesses; and assures compliance with the Michigan Crime Victims’ Rights Act (MCVRA). Develop trial strategies and coordinates with law enforcement officers for further investigations and follow up.
- Initiates and responds to legal motions and evidentiary hearings by drafting motions, briefs, and other legal documents and arguing these points in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases.
- Appears in Circuit and District Court for setting of initial bond, arraignments, preliminary examination conferences, preliminary examination hearings, motions, trials, sentencing, and parole or probation violation hearings. Participates in settlement conferences and other proceedings to represent the Prosecutor. Selects jury, presents arguments, examines and cross-examines witnesses, introduces physical exhibits, confers with judge and defense counsel on points of law and procedure, and argues factual conclusions to a judge or jury. Attempts to resolve and dispose of pending criminal cases by conferring with attorneys and involved parties to reach agreement on pleas and sentencing recommendations.
- Works cooperatively with law enforcement officers from various agencies to ensure investigation and reporting of assigned cases are accomplished in accordance with professional and judicial rules and standards and may provide advice and instruction to police agencies.
- Assists professional staff in effective case management procedures, advises on case development, and serves as a mentor on legal matters.
- Maintains professional competence and ensures up-to-date legal knowledge by attending Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training relevant to current laws and legal practices.
- Serves as backup to the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, ensuring seamless coverage of critical legal responsibilities. Handles a diverse caseload in their absence, representing the County in abuse/neglect cases, juvenile hearings, and mental hearings. Manages child support matters and presides over abuse and neglect trials, stepping in as needed to maintain continuity of operations.
- Assists the Prosecuting Attorney by representing her on various boards and organizations.
- Serves in an on-call status to respond to requests for arrest and search warrants and answer any legal questions as needed outside of standard office hours.
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employees may be expected to perform.)
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher and Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.
Experience: Ideal candidate has 5+ years of job-related experience and prior prosecutorial experience.
Other Requirements: Michigan State Bar Association License in good standing Michigan Driver’s License or other suitable, reliable transportation LEIN/CJIS training is provided upon hire, subject to LEIN Clearance. Skills for job-related software and programs including Microsoft Office Suite, Prosecutor by Karpel, Adobe Acrobat, and AXON Premier Justice.
The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.
Additional Qualifications:
Physical Requirements: This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements: Frequent standing, sitting, walking, and reaching. Frequent lifting and carrying 1-25 lbs.
Working Conditions: A clean, well-lit office with minimal noise, comfortable temperature range, and Building Security provided by deputies from the Sheriff’s Office. Occasional on-site visits to crime scenes or attendance at autopsies. Availability to work remotely on occasion as approved so long as adequate internet service is available and a professional setting is maintained.
Job duties are split between in-person and Zoom appearances, with in-person appearances scheduled in both the Centreville Courts Buildings and the Three Rivers Court Campus depending on dockets. May appear in other jurisdictions as assigned by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan (PAAM). Must have reliable, legal transportation between court campuses as needed.
Application Instructions:
To apply, visit the St. Joseph County website at www.stjosephcountymi.gov and fill out the application online at: https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=7076537 You may also send a cover letter and resume directly to the Chief Prosecutor, Deborah Davis at [email protected] or call the office at 269-467-5547 with any questions.
Website: https://www.stjosephcountymi.gov
