Assistant Public Defender

Washtenaw County; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Washtenaw County is seeking an Assistant Public Defender I/II/III to provide legal representation for defendants who lack resources for counsel. The role starts under supervision and advances to higher levels with experience, performing complex assignments as proficiency grows.

Responsibilities include interviewing clients and witnesses, investigating facts, counseling clients, and preparing for court. Juris Doctor is required; Michigan Bar admission or eligibility within probation is expected.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Understand the unique legal and social needs of the clients served.
• Willingness to participate in community outreach and education efforts.
• Membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan or eligibility to practice within probationary period.
• Possess a valid Michigan driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients, witnesses, and law enforcement to gather facts for representation.
• Investigate background facts by interviewing contacts and reviewing records.
• Provide counseling to clients regarding case strategy and dispositions.
• Represent the Public Defender in counseling clients and in court appearances.
• Prepare for court by drafting briefs, researching, and analyzing evidence.
• Attend and participate in meetings with supervisors and colleagues as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Community outreach

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

Job description

TITLE:

ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I/II/III

GRADE:

118 -120

UNION AFFILIATION:

Public Defender's Association

JOB SUMMARY

As an assistant trial lawyer to the appointed county public defender, under either general or direct supervision of managerial/supervisory staff, this developing, professional level - trial lawyer position serves as an integral part of a legal defense team. This position provides legal representation on behalf of all defendants, including juveniles, charged with criminal or civil violations who are assessed by the courts as being without sufficient resources to retain legal counsel.Position is initially under close supervision and as trial attorneys gain greater experience to perform more independently, employees gradually receive more complex assignments. Advancement to LEVELS II and III are made after gaining required experience while demonstrating acceptable work proficiency.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Interviews clients, witnesses, professional experts and law enforcement personnel while also examining police reports and investigating crime scenes to gather available facts for use in legal representation.
• Investigates or assigns to an investigator the background facts for clients by interviewing friends, family associates, schools, social agencies and employers while also gathering data such as police records, school records and employment histories.
• Provides effective counseling to clients for a realistic evaluation of the facts and evidence in their case to ascertain what is in their best interest as regards bench or jury trials or other alternative case dispositions.
• Represents the appointed county public defender in providing effective counseling to clients regarding personal problems such as job training, alcohol and drug abuse therapy, education opportunities and a general resolution of family problems.
• Provides effective referral information to clients regarding issues such as job training, alcohol and drug abuse therapy, education opportunities and a general resolution of family problems.
• Effectively prepares for court appearances by drafting briefs, legal researching and analyzing evidence and planning strategy as needed.
• Effectively represents the appointed county public defender in providing competent legal representation for clients charged with criminal or civil violations at arraignments, pre-trial conferences, motions, sentencing, preliminary examinations for felonies, abuse and neglect matters and juvenile delinquency cases.
• Effectively represents the appointed county public defender in providing competent legal representation for clients in the conduct of jury or bench trials within the courts in delivering the case to include presenting opening and closing statements, arguing motions, and calling and examining witnesses.
• Reads extensively to keep current on new laws, precedents and court procedures.
• Maintains a professional demeanor and appearance in and out of court.
• Regularly confer with supervisor regarding status and direction of cases.
• Discuss concluded cases with supervisors and colleagues to review appropriateness of methods and techniques used in providing competent legal defense to clients.
• Assists effectively in training, giving work assignments, supervising and evaluating volunteer student interns.
• As assigned, attend and participate, as the representative of the Public Defender, community or committee meetings on topics related to the functions of the Public Defender's s Office.
• As assigned, once qualified and on a rotating basis, work weekend and holiday duty
• Complies with all standards promulgated by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission including, but not limited to, standards regarding training, education, and CLE requirements.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer monitor and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Possess an understanding of the unique legal and social needs of the clients the office serves
• Demonstrate a willingness to participate in community outreach and education efforts
• LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONSMembership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan or obtain membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan within probationary period and eligibility to practice under MCR 8.120.
• Each non-licensed new hire will be allowed one opportunity following hire to take the State Bar of Michigan examination. Following the notification of complete licensure within the minimum of a six-month probationary period, a maximum three month extension to the probationary period may be granted at the discretion of the Public Defender. If licensing is not obtained within the allotted time-period, said new hire will be terminated.
• Possess a valid Michigan driver's license.
• PHYSICAL DEMANDSDuties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
• EDUCATION Possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school.

EXPERIENCE

Level 1

• Entry level classification.

Level 2

• Three (3) years of experience required with acceptable work performance.

Level 3

• Six (6) Years of experience required with acceptable work performance.

This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.Tips: Provide a summary of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how this role fits into the organization overall.