Assistant Public Defender 2 — Piedmont Circuit

Gapubdef; Jefferson, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Georgia Public Defender Council seeks an Assistant Public Defender 2 to represent indigent clients in Jackson County in Superior Court. The role involves zealous advocacy, explaining client rights, and building trustworthy attorney-client relationships.

The successful candidate will possess a Juris Doctorate and current Georgia Bar status, and will work on a variety of criminal matters from arraignments to appeals, under the guidance of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university and eligibility or active Georgia bar admission.
• Experience as a practicing attorney is preferred.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws and courtroom procedures.

Responsibilities

• Attends scheduled court appearances and manages case files from intake to disposition.
• Represents indigent clients in court at various stages, negotiates, argues motions, and handles witness examination.
• Reviews discovery, interviews clients, inspects records, and prepares exhibits and trial graphics.
• Develops defense theories, conducts legal research, and drafts briefs, motions, and juror charges.
• Advises clients regarding rights and options, and coordinates with judges, prosecutors, and support staff.

Skills

Court appearances and proceedings

Legal research

Case strategy development

Investigation coordination

Client counseling

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD) from ABA-accredited program

Job description

**Job Title:**Attorney 2**Agency:**Georgia Public Defender Council**Job Requisition ID:**JR0000004364**Shift:**Day (United States of America)**Compensation Details:****Job Description:**The Piedmont Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office is seeking to hire an Assistant Public Defender 2 for Jackson County. The primary duties include representing indigent clients with criminal cases in Superior Court. Applicants must meet the qualifications and have the necessary skills to perform the job duties and responsibilities for the position. The Assistant Public Defender 2 will provide competent and zealous representation and advocacy to indigent clients. Develops trusting and supportive attorney-client relationships. Explains and advises clients regarding their rights, and the investigative and judicial process. This position performs beginning-level professional legal work and may assist in cases of routine complexity. To be considered for this position, candidates must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university. Applicants must be a current member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.Interested applicants should apply on https://careers.georgia.gov/ and email a cover letter and resume to Donna Seagraves at [e-mail].**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**:•Attends scheduled court appearances; creates new case files, inputs, and records case-related data and notes, logs case activities, and closes files; receives and reviews calendars; and coordinates with court administration, clients, witnesses, experts, and others.•Represents clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary and pretrial hearings, probation and sentencing, post-adjudication/post-conviction hearings, appeals, or any related courtroom proceedings: negotiates at all stages on behalf of the client; prepares and argues motions; conducts jury selection, makes opening and closing statements, presents evidence, and questions witnesses; and makes appropriate objections and arguments.•Reviews discovery; interviews clients in and out of custody; requests and inspects records and evidence; review criminal histories; prepares graphics and exhibits; explore alternative explanations for the alleged incident; follows up on defense leads; identifies and interviews witnesses and alibis; observes crime scenes; subpoenas witnesses and prepares them for trial; prepares clients for trial; determines the need for, procures, and interviews expert witnesses; assesses the need for psychological/psychiatric evaluation of client; anticipates legal issues; develops defense theory and case strategies.•Secures and argues mitigating evidence; negotiates resolutions with assistant district attorneys and advises clients regarding the acceptance or rejection of plea offers.•Receives and reviews various documentation, including police reports, witness statements, laboratory reports, criminal histories, defense motions, and case law updates; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including a variety of motions, orders, letters, notices, petitions, legal briefs, trial summaries, and departmental reports; compiles data for further processing or use in the preparation of department reports, and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.•Secures mitigating evidence for sentencing or restitution; reviews court orders and case plans; files related requests, motions, and appeals; advocates for the client; and secures additional services for the client.•Argues mitigating evidence; negotiates resolutions with assistant district attorneys; and advises clients regarding the acceptance or rejection of plea offers.•Researches relevant case law and interprets in relation to the facts of the case; researches the terms, procedures, or science used in other fields that may be relevant to a case; prepares briefs and motions and responses to same; writes case summaries; drafts jury charges; and makes trial notes.•Develops trusting and supportive attorney-client relationship; explains and advises clients regarding their rights, the investigative and judicial process, and the advisability of alternative courses of action; provides updates regarding case status.•Attends conferences, seminars, meetings, and training events relevant to the area of expertise; keeps abreast of legal changes and participates in professional organizations.•Communicates with prosecuting attorneys, judges, investigators, legal support staff, witnesses, experts, translators, client friends and family, probation officers, supervisors, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review the status of work, present or exchange information, provide legal counsel and interpretation, or resolve problems.• Performs other duties as assigned.•Serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director.**AGENCY QUALIFICATIONS**:•Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university AND license to practice law in the State of Georgia.•One or more year(s) of experience as a practicing attorney.•Demonstrates the knowledge to conduct case research and documentation.•Demonstrates knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws.•Demonstrates the knowledge to investigate and prepare cases for hearings and trials.•Demonstrates proficiency in the performance of the essential duties and responsibilities.•Ability to make sound and well-informed decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.**The selected candidate must meet the qualifications specific to the job responsibilities.****Minimum Qualifications:**Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university and license to practice law in the State of Georgia or eligibility to sit for the next Georgia Bar examination followed by Georgia Bar exam passage and licensure to practice law in the State of Georgia within one (1) year of hiring or reciprocity and one (1) year of relevant legal experience; or one (1) year of experience required at the lower-level Attorney 1 (LEP020).**Equal Employment Opportunity Employer**The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services. Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.