Assistant Public Defender

State of Minnesota; Owatonna (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Minnesota seeks an attorney to provide legal services to indigent defendants in district court and juveniles in delinquency matters, under general supervision. Responsibilities include case preparation, client and witness interviews, legal research, and courtroom representation; coordination with prosecutors and social workers to formulate defense strategies.

Applicants must graduate from an accredited law school and be admitted to the Minnesota Bar; those under the Student Practice

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college of law and admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota, or graduation from an accredited law school and certification to practice under the Supreme Court Student Practice Rule.
• Individuals hired under the Student Practice Rule must pass the bar on their first attempt.
• Failure to pass the bar is grounds for dismissal.

Responsibilities

• Prepares cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in district courts, or in dependency, neglect or delinquency petitions in juvenile court.
• Interviews clients and prospective witnesses; prepares or oversees drafts of briefs, memoranda, pleadings and other legal papers.
• Conducts or directs legal research.
• Represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court proceedings; interviews clients in custody and makes initial decisions concerning bail, release, and competency to stand trial.
• Determines need for expert witnesses; locates experts and schedules them for trial; negotiates plea agreements.
• Consults with social workers, probation officers, judges and referees to determine treatment programs as part of defense strategy; directs work of law clerks.

Skills

Legal research

Legal analysis

Education

Law degree or JD and Minnesota Bar admission / Student Practice Rule certification

Job description

Under general supervision, performs work of routine difficulty in providing legal services to indigent defendants who have been charged with criminal offenses in district court, and to juveniles who are alleged to be delinquent in the juvenile court.

Examples of Duties:

• Prepares cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in district courts; in dependency, neglect or delinquency petitions in juvenile court;
• Interviews clients and prospective witnesses; prepares or oversees the drafting of briefs, memoranda, pleadings and other legal papers;
• Conducts or directs legal research;
• Represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, dispositions and other proceedings; interviews clients in custody and makes initial decisions concerning such things as bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial;
• Determines need for expert witnesses; locates appropriate experts and schedules them for trial if needed; negotiates with County and City Attorneys to reach plea agreements;
• Consults with social workers, probation officers, judges and referees in order to determine appropriate treatment programs for clients as a part of defense strategy; advises and directs work of law clerks;
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of criminal law and procedure
• Good knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research and investigation
• Good knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
• Good knowledge of the pleading and practice of effective presentation of court cases.

Skills:

• Good skills in conducting legal research and analysis of data
• Good skills in determining proper courses of action and presentation of facts and arguments.
• Basic computer skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments
• Ability to appraise and organize facts to present evidence and other material in written or oral form
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with prosecutors, judges, referees, and other professionals, as well as clients and the general public.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college of law and admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota or a person who has graduated from an accredited law school and is certified to practice under the Supreme Court Student Practice Rule.
  • Individuals hired under the Student Practice Rule must pass the bar on their first attempt.
  • Failure to pass the bar is grounds for dismissal.