Assistant District Attorney - Human Trafficking Unit

The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office's Human Trafficking Unit seeks an ADA with felony trial experience to join the unit.

The Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) vigorously investigates and prosecutes those who, through such means as physical force, fraud, and/or psychological coercion, have forced individuals into sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, and labor trafficking. The HTU uses best practices to actively investigate all forms of human trafficking through data-informed, victim-centered, evidence based, and multi-disciplinary approaches.  

The HTU co-chairs the Brooklyn Human Trafficking Task Force, (BKHTTF) a multi-disciplinary team, focused on addressing HT in NYC by bringing together law enforcement, service providers, research institutions and civil society.  

The position entails handling a case load of felony cases and investigations involving the investigation and prosecution of sex and labor trafficking offenses against children and adults, organized crimes involving commercial sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, robbery, assault, and other violent crimes as they relate to human trafficking. The Unit's case load is often comprised primarily of cases of notoriety or public interest.

Responsible for long-term investigations, grand jury presentations, trials, and prosecutions in the areas of sex and labor trafficking, or any other criminal conduct committed in conjunction with and in furtherance of human trafficking, such as, robberies, sexual assaults, assaults, weapons possession and financial crimes.

Consistent with our trauma-informed practices, prosecutors in the HT Unit learn to try cases without the participation of the survivor/victim, who may not be ready to cooperate with the criminal justice process.  This practice, known as evidence-based prosecution, helps hone a prosecutor’s investigative and legal skills. Unit prosecutors also rely heavily on digital evidence and become well-versed in using social media sites like Instagram, Snapchat, and similar sites to prove and enhance cases, as well as material retrieved from cellular phones and historical cell site location data.

Applicants should have an interest in working with vulnerable crime victims who have experienced significant trauma and exploitation. In addition, applicants should have a desire to develop advanced investigative and trial skills and expertise in, trauma-informed interviewing techniques, traumatic bonding and drafting search warrants.

Applicants will collaborate with the multidisciplinary team of investigators, crime victims' advocates and social service providers to enhance investigations and cases while providing support for the survivor/victim. Staff on-call shifts. During a shift, there may be a need to go to a precinct, hospital, or Child Advocacy Center, or other location to meet with a victim, witness, or suspect.

Preferred Qualifications:

·        Experience working with victims of trauma, traumatic bonding, and sexual assaults.

·        Felony jury trial experience

·        Investigations experience

·        Training in trauma-informed interviewing techniques for victims of sexual assault and related crimes

·        Excellent investigative skills, including significant experience drafting subpoenas, interviewing witnesses, analyzing financial and business records and creating investigative plans.