Assistant Public Defender

State of North Carolina; Smithfield (NC); On-site; USD 56,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, District 13, Johnston County, seeks an Assistant Public Defender (NS) to represent indigent defendants in District Court. The role involves applying state and constitutional law, conducting investigations, and delivering effective advocacy in a courtroom setting.

The candidate must hold a Juris Doctor degree and an active North Carolina license to practice law.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Represent indigent defendants in District Court.
• Prepare and argue cases, including witness examinations.
• Perform legal research and apply statutes to cases.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Constitutional law

Evidence rules

Legal research

Strong communication

Writing ability

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

Agency

Indigent Defense Services

Division

PUBLIC DEFENDER 13 DISTRICT

Job Classification Title

Assistant Public Defender (NS)

Position Number

65039826

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

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

SALARY GRADE: $56,000.00 - $104,338.00

The Office of the Public Defender, District 13, Johnston 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 Court.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:

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: strong communication, writing, 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:

Charmaine J. Leeks
NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Human Resources Division
https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers

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.

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.

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.

Recruiter:

Charmaine James Leeks

Email:

[e-mail]