Assistant Public Defender (.5)

State-of-Minnesot; Rochester (MN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

State-of-Minnesot in Rochester, MN seeks a part-time attorney to provide legal services to indigent defendants in district court and to juveniles in juvenile court. Under general supervision, you will handle routine criminal defense tasks, interview clients, draft briefs and pleadings, and conduct legal research.

The role requires strong knowledge of criminal law and procedure, ability to work with prosecutors, judges, and social workers, and Minnesota bar admission or eligibility under the

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college of law and admission to the Bar of Minnesota or eligible to practice under the Supreme Court Student Practice Rule.
• Individuals hired under the Student Practice Rule must pass the bar on their first attempt.

Responsibilities

• 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; drafts or oversees 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 bail, release, and competency to stand trial.
• Determines need for expert witnesses; locates experts and coordinates schedules; negotiates with County and City Attorneys regarding plea agreements.
• Consults with social workers, probation officers, judges and referees to determine treatment programs as part of defense strategy; supervises law clerks.
• Performs related work as required.

Skills

Criminal law knowledge

Legal research

Judicial procedures

Pleading and presentation

Data analysis of legal documents

Professional communication

Client interviewing

Education

Law degree and MN Bar admission

Student Practice Rule eligibility

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.

Part-time attorneys can establish a private practice

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.

• 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.
• Good skills in conducting legal research and analysis of data;
• Good skills in determining proper courses of action and presentation of facts and arguments.
• 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.
• An office that utilizes personal computers and has email and access to the Internet.

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.