Dual Certification
Purpose
To authorize and regulate the dual certification of attorneys within the San Andreas Justice Department (SAJD), permitting qualified individuals to serve in both the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) and the Public Defender’s Office (PDO) while upholding the integrity, impartiality, and ethical standards of the justice system.
Scope
This policy applies to all attorneys currently employed by or seeking certification within the SAO and/or PDO who wish to maintain dual status under SAJD oversight.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for dual certification, an attorney must:
Be licensed and in good standing with the San Andreas Bar Association.
Be a Deputy State's Attorney, Deputy Public Defender, or Private Lawyer
Complete required onboarding and training programs for both offices.
Reach out to the respective division head
Be approved by both the State's Attorney and the State's Public Defender.
Operational Guidelines
Case Assignment Restriction: Attorneys may not represent clients or the state in cases where they have a conflict of interest or prior involvement through their counterpart office.
Conflict Wall Enforcement: SAJD will enforce strict internal “ethical walls” to prevent information sharing between roles. Access to case files will be limited to the attorney’s current role (SAO or PDO).
Role Declaration: Attorneys must declare their acting role (state or defense) at the beginning of each case and may not switch roles within the same matter.
Supervisory Approval: All dual-certified attorneys must notify and obtain approval from their supervising attorney prior to accepting a new case in either office.
Scheduling: Attorneys must maintain a clear and balanced caseload, and will be scheduled to ensure no overlap in conflicting duties.
Ethics & Confidentiality
Dual-certified attorneys shall:
Adhere to all ethical rules as outlined by the San Andreas Justice Department Policies
Avoid handling any case that presents a direct or perceived conflict of interest.
Maintain strict confidentiality for all clients and cases handled in either office.
Violations & Disciplinary Action
Failure to comply with this policy may result in:
Temporary or permanent revocation of dual certification.
Reassignment or suspension from active duty.
Internal disciplinary review by the SAJD Legal Conduct Board.
Oversight and Review
The SAJD Personnel and Ethics Division will conduct periodic audits and reviews of dual-certified attorney activity to ensure policy compliance and public trust.
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