Assistant Lake County Public Defender - Misdemeanor Division

Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Painesville (OH); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-the-Job Training

Public Employees Retirement System

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Deferred Compensation

Paid Time Off

Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Lake County Public Defender in Painesville, OH is seeking a full-time Assistant Defender for the Misdemeanor Division. The role involves representing indigent clients in misdemeanor cases and handling all stages of the criminal process. The office emphasizes zealous advocacy and protecting constitutional rights, with a team-oriented approach.

Required is a J.D. from an accredited law school and a current Ohio license to practice law. Typical hours are 8:00 a.m.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload effectively.
• Commitment to providing quality legal representation to underprivileged individuals.
• Knowledge of criminal law and procedures, evidence and ethics.
• Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Represent indigent clients in misdemeanor cases at all stages of the criminal process.
• Conduct client interviews and gather information for case preparation.
• Review discovery and coordinate investigations with staff.
• Research and analyze legal issues related to assigned cases.
• Draft legal documents for court filings.
• Negotiate plea agreements with prosecutors when appropriate.
• Advocate for clients' rights and best interests throughout the process.
• Collaborate with defense team, investigators, paralegals and interns.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Independent work

Caseload management

Ethics

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Assistant Lake County Public Defender - Misdemeanor Division

Lake County Public Defender

Assistant Lake County Public Defender - Misdemeanor Division

The Lake County Public Defender’s Office, located in Painesville, Ohio, has an immediate opening for a full-time attorney to represent clients in its misdemeanor division. We represent individuals charged with crimes who cannot afford to hire attorneys. Our mission is to advocate strongly and zealously for these individuals and to ensure that their constitutional rights to due process, fair trial and effective assistance of counsel are protected.

Job responsibilities

• representing indigent clients in misdemeanor criminal cases at all stages of the criminal process, including arraignments, discovery, motion hearings, pleas, trials, sentencings and post-sentencing hearings
• conducting client interviews and gather relevant information for case preparation
• reviewing discovery and conducting investigations in conjunction with staff investigator
• researching and analyzing legal issues related to assigned cases
• drafting legal documents for court filings
• negotiating plea agreements with prosecutors when appropriate
• advocating for clients' rights and best interests throughout the legal process
• working collaboratively with other members of the defense team, including investigators, paralegals, social workers, law clerks and legal interns

Experience and Skills

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• licensed to practice law in Ohio
• strong written and verbal communication skills
• legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills
• ability to work independently and manage a caseload effectively
• commitment to providing quality legal representation to underprivileged individuals
• knowledge of criminal law and procedures, evidence and professional responsibility and ethics
• excellent judgment and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively with clients, office personnel, court personnel, prosecutors, law enforcement, probation officers, social workers and the general public

Pay

The salary varies depending upon the number of years of experience as a criminal defense attorney, but the minimum starting salary is $75,000.

Work Hours

Normally 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, but longer hours may be required with evening or weekend work depending upon status of cases.

Benefits

• On-the-Job Training and Mentoring
• Retirement through Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
• Health Insurance (includes medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage)
• Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program
• Deferred Compensation
• Paid Time Off via Vacation, Sick, Personal Days and Federal and State Holidays, Continuing Education Credits
• Loan Forgiveness