Assistant Public Defender

NCIDS; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 56,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Public Defender, District 43, Haywood and Jackson counties, seeks an Assistant Public Defender to handle DWI cases and may cover treatment court and related initiatives.

Must have a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited school and an active NC license; applicants awaiting licensure will be considered. Attends court, visits clients in custody, and travels for investigations as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in North Carolina; applicants awaiting licensure considered.
• Experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court trials is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in criminal defense matters, including DWI cases.
• Visit clients in jail or prison facilities and travel for investigations.
• Develop litigation strategy and present opening statements, cross-examinations, and closing arguments.
• Maintain professional relationships with clients, co-workers, and the public.

Skills

Strong communication

Legal research

Legal writing

Interviewing

Organizational skills

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

## Assistant Public DefenderApplylocations: Haywood County, NC: Jackson County, NCtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted 3 Days Agotime left to apply: End Date: August 26, 2026 (11 days left to apply)job requisition id: JR-113865**Agency**Indigent Defense Services**Division**PUBLIC DEFENDER 43 DISTRICT**Job Classification Title**Assistant Public Defender (NS)**Position Number**65038409**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**Salary Range: $56,000.00 - $104,338.00 The Office of the Public Defender, District 43, which consists of Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Cherokee, Clay, Macon, and Graham counties, is seeking a qualified individuals to serve as an Assistant Public Defender. Attorneys will likely be assigned to DWI cases and need to be prepared to represent clients with complicated impaired driving cases; and may be assigned to cover treatment court and other initiatives that may arise to better serve our community. All Assistant Public Defenders must be capable of handling difficult cases and clients, while maintaining positive, professional relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public. Attorneys are expected to visit clients in jail, and prison facilities, and travel outside the office to conduct other investigative procedures. Must have a strong desire and commitment to client advocacy and indigent defense. As public service employees, it is expected that all Assistant Public Defenders will engage in community service and participate in outreach programs relevant to the services we are providing, including volunteer programs which occur during evening hours and weekends. This position will be based in Haywood and Jackson counties. Must have valid North Carolina Driver's License.**Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences****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, and juvenile cases, and legal research. **Skills in:** strong communication skills to litigate cases in the courtroom, exceptional legal research and writing skills, interviewing, and organization. **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.**Supplemental and Contact Information:****INSTRUCTIONS:**Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will **not** be accepted. Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings. It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications. **\*NOTE\*** Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application *before* submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.*All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.*The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.Travis DavisNC Administrative Office of the Courts Human Resources Divisionhttp://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers**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. Applicants awaiting NC Bar Licensure will be considered. Applicants with experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court trials is helpful but not required. **Attach cover letter and résumé.**