Assistant Public Defender

North Carolina Courts; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State Health Plan

Retirement Benefits

Continuing Legal Education

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

North Carolina Courts in Halifax County seeks an experienced Assistant Public Defender in the felony division to represent indigent clients from appointment through disposition, handling a diverse felony caseload and trying cases before juries.

Join a collaborative District 7 Public Defender Office serving Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton Counties in northeastern NC, offering meaningful courtroom experience and a path to lasting community impact through robust state benefits and ongoing

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.
• Experience as a licensed attorney in NC or equivalent state is preferred.
• Ability to handle felony cases and represent indigent clients with integrity.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for client’s rights before court proceedings, hearings, and trials.
• Conduct legal research, prepare documents, and develop defense strategies.
• Investigate cases, gather evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and present evidence in court.
• Maintain client communication and ensure ethical standards in practice.

Skills

Legal research

Trial advocacy

Criminal defense

Negotiation

Oral communication

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Job description

## Assistant Public DefenderApply: Halifax County, NC: Full time: Posted 2 Days Ago: End Date: September 29, 2026 (11 days left to apply): JR-119731**Agency**Indigent Defense Services**Division**PUBLIC DEFENDER 7 DISTRICT**Job Classification Title**Assistant Public Defender (NS)**Position Number**65038348**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: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 (based upon experience level) Seeking Experienced NC licensed attorneys. Experienced Assistant Public Defender – Felony Division (Halifax County) The North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services is seeking an experienced attorney to join the District 7 Public Defender’s Office as an Assistant Public Defender assigned primarily to felony representation in Halifax County. This position is ideal for a seasoned criminal defense attorney who is passionate about protecting constitutional rights, trying complex cases, and serving a rural community where skilled advocates make a meaningful difference every day. As a member of our collaborative team, you will represent indigent clients charged with serious felony offenses from appointment through disposition. You will handle a diverse felony caseload, litigate motions, negotiate resolutions when appropriate, and try cases before juries. You will work alongside experienced attorneys, investigators, client advocates, and community partners committed to providing exceptional, client-centered representation. District 7 serves Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, and Northampton Counties in northeastern North Carolina. Our office embraces innovation, teamwork, and holistic defense while offering attorneys meaningful courtroom experience and the opportunity to have a lasting impact on the lives of clients and the communities we serve. Outside the courtroom, you’ll enjoy the quality of life that northeastern North Carolina offers. The Chowan, Roanoke, Middle, and Cashie Rivers provide outstanding opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The Albemarle Sound and the renowned Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course are nearby, and the Outer Banks, Virginia Beach, and Washington, D.C. are all within easy driving distance. District 7 offers the opportunity to enjoy the peace of a close-knit community while remaining conveniently connected to larger metropolitan areas. This position includes North Carolina State employment benefits, including the State Health Plan, retirement benefits, paid leave, extensive continuing legal education opportunities, the Annual Public Defender Conference, access to expert forensic resources, and eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program in accordance with federal requirements. If you are an experienced criminal defense attorney seeking a challenging felony practice, meaningful trial work, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in one of North Carolina’s legal desert communities, we encourage you to apply.**Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences**Responsibilities include:* Advocate for client’s rights and interests prior to and during court proceedings, hearings, and trials. This includes conducting legal research, preparing legal documents, developing defense strategies, assisting in investigating cases and gathering evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting evidence in court.* Stay informed about relevant laws, regulations, and legal precedents.* Collaborate with other legal professionals, including colleagues within the public defender's office, investigators, and support staff.* Handle administrative tasks related to caseload management, document preparation, and other responsibilities within the public defender's office.* Maintain open and effective communication with clients to keep them informed about their cases, explain legal options, and address their concerns. Also, maintain communication to better understand your client’s unique situation and build a strong defense on your client’s behalf.* Adhere to ethical standards and legal responsibilities in the practice of law.The District 7 Public Defender Office strives to create a diverse staff with expertise and interest in serving our indigent clients who come to us with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, and disabilities.**Knowledge, Skills, and 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:** Ability to analyze facts, identify legal issues, and develop strong case strategies; Strong oral communication skills to present arguments persuasively and engage with judges and juries; the ability to think critically and make quick, effective decisions during trial proceedings; creative problem-solving skills to address unexpected challenges during a trial; strong writing skills to prepare persuasive motions, briefs, and legal documents; interpersonal skills; organization and time management skills; and technology proficiency skills. **Ability to:** analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; 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; communicate 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. **Must provide a résumé and cover letter.**