Assistant Public Defender

Allegany County; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable health insurance

Membership in New York State retirement plan

Job summary

A governmental entity is hiring an Assistant Public Defender in New York to represent indigent clients in criminal and family court. The role requires a valid NY law license and includes preparing and presenting legal defenses, conducting case investigations, and maintaining effective communication with clients and legal officials. Candidates should exhibit strong knowledge of legal principles and court procedures. This position offers excellent benefits including health insurance and retirement plan membership.

Qualifications

• License to practice law in New York required.
• Good knowledge of applicable statutes, rules, and procedures.
• Ability to express legal arguments clearly and concisely.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cases for hearings and trials.
• Represent and counsel indigent persons.
• Initiate proceedings to protect indigent persons' rights.
• Conduct investigations related to cases.
• Appear in local courts for arraignments as needed.

Skills

Knowledge of New York State statutes

Court procedures and rules of evidence

Legal brief preparation

Effective communication

Brief preparation

Defense presentation

Education

License to practice law in the State of New York

Job description

ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER

Allegany County is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Public Defender. Employment with Allegany County offers excellent benefits including affordable health insurance and membership in the New York State retirement plan.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

This is professional work involving responsibility for representing indigent persons as assigned by the Public Defender. Work involves representation of indigent persons through most stages of criminal and family court proceedings, including the filing of any notice of appeals. In addition to actual representation, employees in this class assist the Public Defender in the investigation, preparation of cases in various courts and legal proceedings involving indigent persons. Work is performed under the general direction of the Public Defender and in accordance with guidelines provided in law. Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities

• Prepares cases for hearings and trials, prepares briefs, secures evidence and conducts investigations
• Represents and counsels indigent persons at each stage of proceedings
• Initiates such proceedings as are necessary to protect the rights of the indigent person
• Corresponds with referral and intervention social agencies to arrange for client counseling and/or in‑patient treatment as component of negotiated dispositions
• Confers with indigent persons, law enforcement officers, counsel for the child, caseworkers, counselors, judges, prosecutors and other relevant individuals as appropriate concerning individual cases
• May be required to appear in local courts as needed to provide representation at arraignments that occur both during and outside of normal business hours

Full Performance, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

Good knowledge of principles and practice of applicable New York State statutes, rules and procedures; good knowledge of court procedures and the rules of evidence; skill in the preparation of briefs and the presentation of a defense before a jury; ability to analyze, appraise and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems; ability to express arguments of the law, clearly and concisely; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to maintain satisfactory working relationships with other county officials, policy agencies, attorneys and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

License to practice law in the State of New York.

Special Requirements

Valid Driver’s License and automobile.

Civil Service Jurisdictional Classification

Exempt.

This description is a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by incumbents in this job title. The incumbent may not perform all of the specified duties nor are the listed examples exhaustive. Incumbents may be requested to perform related tasks other than those stated herein.

To apply, please submit your civil service application, resume, cover letter, references, and a copy of your attorney’s license to Allegany County Human Resources & Civil Service, 7 Court Street, Room 216, Belmont, NY 14813. Please visit Allegany County Human Resources for the complete job description and the civil service application.