Opportunities Crown Attorney (Special Prosecutions)

About Us

The Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service (PPS) was established in 1990 as the first statutorily-based independent prosecution service in Canada.

With the guiding mission of providing fair and equal treatment in the prosecution of offences the PPS prosecutes charges laid under the Criminal Code and under Nova Scotia statutes such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Head Office is located in Halifax and there are regional offices throughout the province.

The core functions of the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service are to:

• Represent the Crown in the conduct of criminal trials and criminal appeals before all levels of courts
• Participate in the development of criminal law and criminal prosecutions policy
• Provide advice to police in respect of prosecutions generally or in respect of particular investigations
• After a charge is laid by police a Crown Attorney will review the evidence and determine if there is a realistic prospect of conviction
• The Crown Attorney will also consider the public interest to determine if a charge should proceed even if there is a realistic prospect of conviction

For more information on the Public Prosecution Service please visit the following link: Our Opportunity

You will report to the Chief Crown Attorney Special Prosecutions Section to whom you are accountable for the provision of competent prosecution services. You will conduct the prosecution of charges resulting from matters within the Public Prosecution Service mandate that result from law enforcement agency investigations. You will work with police and prosecutors in Nova Scotia on cases including complex fraud sexual assaults and murder.

You will also be responsible prosecuting complex files including fraud murder sexual assaults and files involving multiple accused and/or multiple victims.

You will be responsible for providing pre-charge advice on investigations including assisting with search warrants and production orders and advising law enforcement on the legality of different investigative techniques. You will conduct such other prosecutions and duties as directed by the Chief Crown Attorney Special Prosecutions Section.

Although this position is normally located in Halifax the successful applicant will be required to travel to all parts of the province to prosecute cases and may be required to do so for extended periods of time.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful applicantyou:

• Must have at least 5 years experience in criminal law and significant experience prosecuting complex matters
• Must have significant experience in advising police on search and seizure law including searches of computers cell phones and other electronic devices
• Must have a thorough understanding of the prosecution process and competence in the areas of criminal procedure evidence and substantive criminal law
• Must have significant experience in responding to Charter challenges including search and seizure (s.8 of the Charter)
• Must be a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society in good standing (or eligible for practicing membership)
• Must be able to travel and prosecute throughout the Province sometimes for extended period
  

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination standardized tests oral presentations interview(s) and reference checks.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan Health Dental Life Insurance General illness Short and Long Term Disability Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings click here: Benefits for government employees.

Additional Information

This is a permanent employment opportunity with the Special Prosecutions team based in Halifax NS.