Assistant Public Defender

Judicial Branch; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 56,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Agency Indigent Defense Services Division in Durham County seeks an Assistant Public Defender (NS) to represent indigent defendants charged with criminal offenses in District and Superior Court.

The position is time-limited and grant-funded, with a salary range of $56,000.00 to $104,338.00; employment ends June 30, 2027. Juris Doctor is required with an active NC license; Spanish language skills are a plus. Proficiency in modern case management and computer tools is expected.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in North Carolina.
• Experience in criminal district and/or superior court trials preferred.
• Spanish language fluency a plus.

Responsibilities

• Represent indigent defendants charged with criminal offenses in District and Superior Court.
• Prepare and present defenses, conduct investigations, and file appropriate motions.
• Maintain meticulous case files and adhere to procedures and deadlines.

Skills

Legal Research

Criminal Law

Court Procedures

Case Management

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Agency Indigent Defense Services Division PUBLIC DEFENDER 16 DISTRICT

Job Classification Title Assistant Public Defender (NS) Position Number 65035919 Grade 30013288

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

The Office of the Public Defender, District 16, Durham County, seeks a qualified individual to serve as an Assistant Public Defender. The selected candidate will represent indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in District and Superior Court.

Salary Grade

$56,000.00 - $104,338.00

Employment Terms

THIS POSITION IS TIME-LIMITED, GRANT FUNDED, FULL-TIME. FUNDING FOR THIS POSITION WILL END ON JUNE 30, 2027.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of: Federal, State, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; and legal research methods.
• Skills in: applicants must be extremely organized and detailed with documentation of case files. Applicant must be able to multi-task and handle a heavy caseload. All candidates are expected to be proficient in the latest computer programs.
• Ability to: analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina. Management prefers candidates with experience in criminal district and/or superior court trials -- helpful but not required. Spanish language fluency a plus. Attach cover letter and résumé.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Company Culture & Employee Benefits

North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services.

Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website.

Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast.

Find your next opportunity today!

State Application Resources / Frequently Asked Questions

Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide.

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.