How Do I Become a County Attorney?

In order for you you to become a county attorney in the United States, you must first complete law school and pass a state bar exam. Counties often advertise when they are searching for a county attorney, and you should check the help-wanted classified advertisements and web sites in the counties in which you would like to become a county attorney. Positions such as these are often advertised by word of mouth, so if you want to become a county attorney, you might hear about an opening if you spend time at local restaurants, gyms and golf courses frequented by county officials. In some areas, you must be elected in order to become a county attorney, so you might want to become active in the county political circle.

The typical workload of a county attorney consists of reading contracts, documents and proposals made to the county to make sure they are properly filed and completed. Other duties of the attorney are taking cases to trial that involve the county, business of the county or lawsuits targeting the county. You will want to be knowledgeable in many facets of local law and the ordinances on which the laws were written if you intend to become a county attorney.

Outside of a law degree, you will need to have several areas of your personal life in order if you are to become a county attorney. Finance and credit ratings are commonly inspected, as well as any arrest records, mental health records and marital status changes. You will be required to take and pass a criminal background check, as well as a personal background and a personal and business financial background check. This is to ensure that you are of high moral character and an upstanding member of the community where you reside. Often, members of your family, such as your spouse, parents and siblings, will also be interviewed and investigated.

You may wish to join some civic groups, as volunteer work is commonly viewed as a plus for anyone wanting to become a county attorney. Your driving record will also be investigated, so you will want to be a safe driver and have no unpaid parking tickets or fines. If you are divorced, separated or have a child out of wedlock, your child support records will also be examined when you attempt to become a county attorney, so it is critical that you have all of your obligations, bills and other responsibilities well in hand.