About this role
Unit Overview
The Homicide Unit is responsible for investigating and prosecuting the most serious and complex criminal offenses within the Prince George's County. ASAs assigned to this unit handle homicide and other death-related prosecutions from the investigative stage through trial, sentencing, and post-conviction litigation when applicable. ASAs serve as the primary legal advisors to law enforcement during homicide investigations and are expected to exercise exceptional legal judgment, strategic decision-making, and advanced litigation skills.
Homicide Unit ASAs work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, forensic experts, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, victims' families, defense counsel, and the judiciary to ensure thorough investigations, ethical prosecutions, and the fair administration of justice. This assignment is a senior litigation position that requires extensive courtroom experience and the ability to independently manage highly complex criminal prosecutions.
Primary Responsibilities
ASAs assigned to the Homicide Unit are responsible for:
• Reviewing homicide investigations, police reports, witness statements, forensic evidence, medical examiner findings, digital evidence, and other investigative materials to determine prosecutorial merit.
• Providing legal guidance to law enforcement officers throughout homicide investigations, including search warrants, charging decisions, investigative strategy, subpoenas, and evidentiary issues.
• Reviewing applicable Maryland criminal statutes, constitutional law, and relevant case law when evaluating investigations and determining appropriate criminal charges.
• Preparing homicide and other major felony cases for prosecution through all phases of criminal proceedings.
• Conducting legal research and preparing pleadings, motions, subpoenas, search warrants, and other court filings.
• Interviewing victims, witnesses, law enforcement officers, and expert witnesses in preparation for court proceedings.
• Maintaining regular communication with victims' families regarding case developments, court proceedings, and available resources.
• Presenting cases before the Grand Jury when appropriate.
• Representing the State during bond hearings, preliminary hearings, motions hearings, suppression hearings, jury trials, sentencing proceedings, and other Circuit Court proceedings.
• Litigating complex constitutional, evidentiary, and procedural issues arising during homicide prosecutions.
• Negotiating plea agreements consistent with Office policies and the interests of justice when appropriate.
• Working collaboratively with homicide detectives, forensic scientists, crime laboratory personnel, medical examiners, victim witness advocates, and other criminal justice partners.
• Reviewing and analyzing body-worn camera footage, surveillance video, cellular data, forensic reports, and other forms of digital and physical evidence.
• Ensuring compliance with constitutional discovery obligations and the Maryland Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Maintaining accurate case documentation and timely updating case management systems.
• Performing other prosecutorial duties as assigned by supervisory staff.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
ASAs assigned to the Homicide Unit should possess the ability to:
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of Maryland Criminal Law, the Maryland Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Maryland Rules of Evidence, constitutional law, and victims' rights.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of homicide investigations, criminal procedure, charging standards, and advanced trial litigation.
• Apply ethical prosecutorial standards and constitutional discovery obligations throughout all stages of prosecution.
• Conduct complex legal research and prepare clear, persuasive, and legally sound pleadings and motions.
• Analyze large volumes of physical, forensic, digital, and testimonial evidence to make informed charging and prosecutorial decisions.
• Develop comprehensive trial strategies and independently manage complex homicide prosecutions.
• Prepare expert witnesses, law enforcement officers, victims, and civilian witnesses for courtroom testimony.
• Litigate suppression motions, evidentiary hearings, jury trials, sentencing hearings, and other complex criminal proceedings.
• Exercise sound prosecutorial discretion, critical thinking, and independent judgment in high-profile and sensitive criminal matters.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with victims' families, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, defense attorneys, judges, court staff, and members of the public.
• Maintain strict confidentiality while handling sensitive and high-profile criminal investigations.
• Demonstrate exceptional courtroom advocacy, oral communication, legal writing, organization, and time management skills.
• Work effectively under pressure while managing multiple complex investigations and trial schedules.
• Adapt to evolving legislation, appellate decisions, prosecutorial policies, and courtroom procedures while maintaining professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail.
Minimum Qualifications
(Each progressive SAO Classification has substantially more stringent minimum qualifications)
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Maryland Bar and in good standing.
• Minimum of five (5) years of criminal litigation experience, with substantial felony trial experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience serving as lead counsel in jury trials involving serious felony offenses.
• Thorough knowledge of Maryland criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, and the Maryland Rules of Evidence.
• Experience working with homicide investigations, forensic evidence, expert witnesses, and complex criminal litigation is strongly preferred.
• Ability to exercise independent legal judgment, manage high-profile prosecutions, and maintain the highest ethical standards in the performance of prosecutorial duties.
Salary Range
Assistant State's Attorneys (ASAs) assigned to the Homicide Unit are typically hired in the SAO 4 classification, with the salary range established by Prince George’s County at $104,670.00 to $166,347.00
Individual salaries are set based on budget and experience within the minimum and maximum defined above. ASAs are also eligible for all County benefits including enrollment in healthcare, life insurance, a defined benefit pension plan, optional 457 deferred compensation plan, and other elective benefits.
Prince George’s County Government is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, Committed to Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
$104,670.00 to $166,347.00