17 Assistant District Attorney Interview Questions and Answers

Assistant district attorneys, or ADAs, are the backbone of district attorney’s offices across the country. They are responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases, from initial investigation through to the final court hearing.

ADAs need to be able to think on their feet, as they often have to make decisions on the fly about whether to pursue a case. They also need to be able to build strong relationships with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses.

If you’re looking to become an ADA, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a range of questions in your interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some common assistant district attorney interview questions and answers to help you prepare.

Are you comfortable working with victims and witnesses of crimes?

Assistant district attorneys often work with victims and witnesses of crimes. These individuals may be experiencing a traumatic event, so it’s important that the assistant DA is empathetic to their needs. Your answer should show that you are willing to help these people through this difficult time.

Example: “I have worked with many victims and witnesses in my previous role as an attorney. I always made sure to explain what was going on during the legal process. This helped ease some of their concerns about testifying or talking to the prosecution. I also tried to make them feel comfortable by offering refreshments or snacks when they were waiting for their appointment.”

What are some of the most important qualities for an assistant district attorney?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the qualities they’re looking for in an assistant district attorney. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the most important qualities and how you possess them.

Example: “The two most important qualities for an assistant district attorney are integrity and communication skills. As an assistant district attorney, I would need to make sure that all my cases were handled fairly and ethically. In addition, I would need to communicate with both witnesses and defendants effectively. These two qualities are essential because they ensure that justice is served while also protecting the rights of everyone involved.”

How would you handle a case where a key witness suddenly changes their story?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to handle unexpected challenges in the courtroom. In your answer, you can describe how you would respond to a witness who changes their story and how you would use your skills of persuasion to convince them to tell the truth.

Example: “If a key witness suddenly changed their testimony during trial, I would first try to understand why they are changing their story. If it’s because they’re lying or withholding information, I would immediately call for a recess so that I could speak with the witness privately. During our conversation, I would explain that perjury is a serious crime and that if they continue to lie under oath, they will face severe consequences. I would also remind them that perjury is an easy way to get caught, as attorneys often have multiple ways to prove someone is lying.”

What is your process for deciding whether or not to pursue a case?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you make decisions that affect the outcome of a case. Your answer should include your thought process and reasoning for making these important decisions.

Example: “I decide whether or not to pursue a case based on my assessment of the evidence, including witness statements, police reports and any other documents I can find. If there is enough evidence to support the charges, then I move forward with the prosecution. However, if there isn’t sufficient evidence, then I will decline to pursue the case. In either situation, I always communicate my decision to the defense attorney so they know what’s happening.”

Provide an example of a case you tried and the outcome.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience as an assistant district attorney. They want to know how you handled a case and the outcome of that case. To answer this question, think of a specific case you tried in which you were successful.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant district attorney, I was assigned to work on a case involving a man who had been accused of stealing from his employer. The prosecution wanted to charge him with grand theft, but I knew we could get a conviction for petty theft instead. We presented our evidence to the judge, and he agreed to reduce the charges. My client pled guilty to petty theft and paid a fine.”

If a law you were enforcing was overturned, how would you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn how you handle failure. This can be an important part of the job, as laws are overturned sometimes and it’s your responsibility to enforce them until they’re officially changed. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of upholding the law even when it changes.

Example: “If a law I was enforcing was overturned, I would continue to uphold it until it was officially changed. It’s my duty as an assistant district attorney to ensure that all citizens are treated fairly under the law. If a law is overturned, it means that there was something wrong with it in the first place, so I would want to make sure everyone who had been convicted under it was given the opportunity to have their case reviewed.”

What would you do if you discovered a fellow prosecutor was engaging in unethical behavior?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your moral compass and commitment to upholding the law. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time you witnessed unethical behavior in the workplace and how you handled it.

Example: “When I was working as a paralegal for a personal injury attorney, I noticed my boss would sometimes exaggerate his clients’ injuries or medical conditions to increase settlement amounts. At first, I thought maybe he didn’t realize what he was doing was wrong, so I talked with him about it. He said that if we wanted to make more money, we had to tell our clients they were injured worse than they actually were. I reported him to the state bar association, and he lost his license.”

How well do you handle stress?

Assistant district attorneys often work under a lot of pressure. They have to make important decisions quickly and sometimes in front of large groups of people. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle stress well. In your answer, share how you manage stress. Share an example of a time when you had to deal with a stressful situation. Explain what you did to relieve the stress.

Example: “I am good at managing stress. I find that taking deep breaths helps me calm down. When I feel stressed, I take a few minutes to myself to collect my thoughts. This usually helps me figure out the best way to approach a problem. Another thing I do is talk through my ideas with someone else. Talking things out always makes me feel better.”

Do you have any questions for us about the role of an assistant district attorney?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the role and responsibilities of an assistant district attorney. They want to know that you are prepared for the job, so it’s important to come into the interview with a few questions about what you can expect from the position.

Example: “I am very excited about this opportunity, and I did my research on the role of an assistant district attorney before coming in today. One thing I noticed is that there are many different types of cases that assistant district attorneys handle. I was wondering how often you get to work on more interesting cases versus working on minor cases like traffic violations.”

When is it appropriate to offer a plea bargain to a defendant?

Assistant district attorneys often have the opportunity to negotiate with defendants. The hiring manager wants to know that you understand when it’s appropriate to offer a plea bargain and how to do so effectively. In your answer, explain what factors influence whether or not you would offer a plea bargain.

Example: “I believe offering a plea bargain is only appropriate if I can ensure the safety of the public while also ensuring justice for the victim. For example, in my last case, there was a defendant who had committed multiple crimes against children. He was facing life in prison, but he agreed to plead guilty to all charges if we dropped one of them. We were able to agree on dropping two of the charges, which allowed us to keep him away from children for the rest of his life.”

We want to improve our outreach to local communities. How would you go about doing that as an assistant district attorney?

An employer may ask this question to see how you plan and execute projects. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to improve outreach in the community. Consider including specific strategies that you have used before to increase awareness of a district attorney’s office or other law enforcement agency.

Example: “I think it is important for our communities to feel connected to their local law enforcement agencies. I would start by creating an outreach committee made up of members from different departments within the DA’s office. We could then decide on a goal for improving outreach and create a timeline for reaching that goal. For example, we might want to double the number of people who know about the services we provide in one year. Then, we can develop a strategy for achieving that goal.”

Describe your experience with jury trials.

Assistant district attorneys often work with juries, so employers ask this question to learn more about your experience in the courtroom. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific case you worked on and how you prepared for it.

Example: “I’ve had several jury trials throughout my career as an assistant district attorney. In one case, I represented a woman who was charged with embezzlement. The prosecution’s evidence against her was strong, but I still wanted to do everything I could to help her win the case. To prepare for the trial, I researched the laws regarding embezzling money from a company and talked to experts in the field. After presenting our case, we won the case.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this role?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention any skills you have that are relevant to the role.

Example: “I am passionate about criminal justice reform and believe in giving everyone an equal opportunity for justice. I would love to work with a team of like-minded individuals who want to make a positive impact on our community. I also have extensive trial experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, which means I can help manage cases efficiently.”

Which areas of law do you most want to focus on as an assistant district attorney?

This question can help interviewers understand your career goals and how they align with the role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific area of law you’re passionate about or have experience in.

Example: “I’m most passionate about helping victims of crime get justice. I’ve worked as an advocate for domestic violence survivors for five years now, and I would love to continue doing that work as an assistant district attorney. I think my previous experience working with victims will make me a great fit for this position.”

What do you think is the most important part of a case file?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you prioritize your work. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of all aspects of a case file and can organize information effectively.

Example: “I think it’s important to have all relevant information in a case file, including witness statements, police reports, medical records and any other documents that might be helpful for me or my supervisor to review. I also think it’s essential to keep track of deadlines and ensure we meet them. For example, if a defendant is supposed to appear in court on a certain date, I make sure to check the calendar regularly so we know when he needs to be there.”

How often do you think an assistant district attorney should update a judge on a case?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you interact with judges. They want to know that you respect the authority of a judge and understand when it’s appropriate to update them on your case. In your answer, explain what factors influence whether or not you should update a judge.

Example: “I think an assistant district attorney should update a judge as often as necessary. I would only call a judge if there was something important to report about a case. For example, if we had new evidence in a case, I would immediately inform the judge so they could decide if we needed to change our strategy. If we didn’t have any updates for a while, I would still check in with the judge just to let them know everything is going well.”

There is a lot of public controversy around a case you’re working on. How do you handle the pressure?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle the public scrutiny that can come with working as an assistant district attorney. This is a high-profile position, so you should be prepared for media attention and other forms of public interest in your work. In your answer, demonstrate how you would balance the pressure of public scrutiny with your commitment to upholding the law.

Example: “I understand that my job comes with public scrutiny, but I always put the needs of the case first. If there are any questions about my work or its impact on the community, I am happy to speak with reporters and provide them with information about the case. However, I do not make statements about ongoing cases unless it’s absolutely necessary.”