When you hear "prosecutor," you probably think of Law & Order reruns and dramatic courtroom monologues about justice. But in the smallest state in the union, the job of an assistant attorney general in Rhode Island is actually way weirder and more complex than what you see on TV.
Rhode Island is an anomaly. Seriously. In most of America, your local District Attorney (DA) handles the criminal stuff, while the state’s Attorney General (AG) deals with big civil suits or consumer protection. Not here. In the Ocean State, the AG’s office is basically the "Super DA." They handle almost every single felony in the state. Because of that, being an assistant attorney general here means you're operating in one of the most concentrated legal powerhouses in the country.
Why Rhode Island's System is Different
Let’s get into the weeds for a second. Most states have dozens of elected DAs. Rhode Island has zero. Instead, the Attorney General—currently Peter Neronha—appoints a small army of assistant and special assistant attorneys general (SAAGs) to do the heavy lifting.
If you’re a special assistant attorney general in Rhode Island, you might be in District Court on Monday morning handling a domestic violence case and then pivot to a grand jury investigation on Tuesday. It’s high-stakes work. Because the office is centralized in Providence (with satellite offices like the one in Kent County), the lawyers there see everything from high-profile political corruption to the "daily grind" of narcotics cases.
Actually, according to the state’s General Laws (§ 42-9-1), the AG is technically limited to appointing 30 "Assistant Attorneys General." But don't let that number fool you. The office employs scores of "Special Assistants" who carry the same weight in court. It’s a distinction that mostly matters for payroll and seniority, but in the eyes of a judge, a SAAG is the voice of the state.
The Pay, the Hours, and the Realities
Kinda curious about the money? Honestly, nobody goes into state service to get rich. A typical starting salary for a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division often lands between $68,921 and $77,944, depending on the specific pay grade (like 8728). If you stick around and climb to a Senior Litigation Counsel role or a higher-tier Assistant AG spot, you might see that number jump to $105,000 or $122,000.
It’s decent, but considering the cost of living in New England, it’s not exactly "private equity" money. You do it for the trial experience. You do it because you want to be in the room where it happens.
The Breakdown of the Office
The office isn't just one big room of people yelling "Objection!" It’s actually split into three main buckets:
- Criminal Division: This is the beast. They handle the "broad criminal mission" that only two other states (Alaska and Delaware) share. They prosecute all felonies.
- Civil Division: This is where the state sues big corporations. Think lead paint litigation, environmental protection, and defending state agencies when they get sued.
- Public Protection Bureau: A relatively newer focus under Neronha, dealing with healthcare, consumer rights, and civil rights.
How Do You Actually Get the Job?
You’ve got to be a member of the Rhode Island Bar. That’s the non-negotiable part. If you’re a law student, your best bet is something like the William C. Clifton, Sr. Clerkship Program. It’s named after the first African American Special Assistant Attorney General in the office and it’s basically the "golden ticket" for getting a foot in the door.
Applications for these roles usually require a mountain of paperwork: a resume, a cover letter that actually shows you care about Rhode Island, and a writing sample that proves you won't embarrass the state in front of the Supreme Court.
The Politics of the Position
Is it political? Sorta. Every assistant attorney general serves at the pleasure of the elected AG. When a new AG is sworn in, they can—and sometimes do—bring in their own team. However, many career prosecutors stay through multiple administrations because, frankly, the office needs people who know where the files are buried.
Under Peter Neronha, the office has become notably more aggressive in "proactive" litigation. We’re talking about going after landlords for lead poisoning and suing big oil companies. If you’re an assistant attorney general in this era, you aren't just reacting to crimes; you're often looking for ways to use the law to fix systemic issues.
Common Misconceptions
People often think being a "Special Assistant" means you're a part-timer or a "lite" version of a prosecutor. That’s wrong. In Rhode Island, "Special" just means you're appointed under a specific budget line. You have the same power to sign indictments and negotiate plea deals as anyone else.
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Another myth? That they only work in Providence. While 150 South Main Street is the mothership, these attorneys are in every courthouse from Warwick to Newport.
Actionable Next Steps for Aspiring Prosecutors
If you're looking to become an assistant attorney general in Rhode Island, don't just wait for a job posting on a generic board.
- Monitor RIAG.ri.gov: The office posts specific "Pay Grade" notices for units like the Appellate Unit or the Public Integrity Unit.
- Network at the Rhode Island Bar Association: This is a small state. Relationships matter more than your GPA most of the time.
- Get Trial Experience: If you’re still in law school, do the Rule 9 clinical programs. The AG’s office wants people who aren't afraid of a courtroom.
- Prepare for a Background Check: It’s thorough. They’ll check your references, your bar standing, and your history. If you have skeletons, they’ll find them.
The path to becoming an assistant attorney general is long, but in a state as compact as Rhode Island, it's one of the few places where a single lawyer can actually move the needle on public policy.