DPP, questions (1 Viewer)

[17028354]

Hi guys.

perhaps you guys who have done some research, or those who currently work with (or have worked with, ie. plt training) can give me some insight into work with the DPP?

im interested in applying for the NSW ODPP, and the commonwealth DPP.

i hear it is very competitive to get into, probably the best way is to do the PLT with them, and do a good job of it.

please share your experiences, good and bad

 

[MichaelJackson2]

With the exception of the QLD DPP (where I worked), I hear that the DPP is a great place to work. In the long run, the pay is not great but fairly decent. I would consider a career at the DPP if you enjoy advocacy. I personally could not have stayed there in the long run as there were so many pedaphile cases and other horrendously disgusting street level crimes with blood and gore that, for me, would have had a negative impact on my mental health in the long run. I would say that, due to the horrendous nature of crimes the DPP has to deal with, the work is more emotionally rather than intellectually draining. I also felt that I was wasting my law degree as criminal law is such a specialised area of practice. The QLD DPP was a mess - just read that article in The Australian a few years ago about legal officers at the QLD DPP being overworked, underpaid, and having low morale and you'll get what I mean.

Ideally, if dealing with blood, pedaphiles and bogans doesn't interest you, I would work at the Commonwealth DPP. I've tried twice to get a paralegal job there but without success as it's so competitive. If you read their annual report, they deal with much more complex and interesting crimes - commercial prosecutions and going after bad ass directors seems pretty cool. And, since it's funded by the federal government, it's not under-resourced and you do get a decent pay.

Hope that helps.

 

[17028354]

With the exception of the QLD DPP (where I worked), I hear that the DPP is a great place to work. In the long run, the pay is not great but fairly decent. I would consider a career at the DPP if you enjoy advocacy. I personally could not have stayed there in the long run as there were so many pedaphile cases and other horrendously disgusting street level crimes with blood and gore that, for me, would have had a negative impact on my mental health in the long run. I would say that, due to the horrendous nature of crimes the DPP has to deal with, the work is more emotionally rather than intellectually draining. I also felt that I was wasting my law degree as criminal law is such a specialised area of practice. The QLD DPP was a mess - just read that article in The Australian a few years ago about legal officers at the QLD DPP being overworked, underpaid, and having low morale and you'll get what I mean.

Ideally, if dealing with blood, pedaphiles and bogans doesn't interest you, I would work at the Commonwealth DPP. I've tried twice to get a paralegal job there but without success as it's so competitive. If you read their annual report, they deal with much more complex and interesting crimes - commercial prosecutions and going after bad ass directors seems pretty cool. And, since it's funded by the federal government, it's not under-resourced and you do get a decent pay.

Hope that helps.

that definitely helps.

the commercial prosecution would also benefit me in a way, because i'm doing a double degree, with accounting as my other major.

i'd imagine i'd be able to travel around australia as well, if i were to join the commonwealth DPP?

ie. if there's a big case in Adelaide, and i'm any good they would send me to Adelaide for the duration of the travel, and cover my meals, accommodation, etc =)

so what would be the best avenue for trying to get into the commonwealth DPP?