Assistant Public Defender I

County of Lancaster; United States; On-site; USD 61,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity

Job summary

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, seeks an experienced attorney to provide professional legal representation to indigent adults charged with crimes and to juveniles in delinquency proceedings. The role spans magisterial district court, court of common pleas, and Pennsylvania appellate courts.

The attorney will handle in-court and out-of-court representation, conduct investigations, review records, and prepare filings to uphold the rights of clients across diverse hearings and tribunals.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science).
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge skills and ability to perform this job.

Responsibilities

• In-court representation for adults and juveniles across multiple courts.
• Out-of-court representation: communicate with clients and families, perform investigations and prepare filings.
• Review police reports, witness statements, expert reports, and medical records.
• Coordinate with defense investigators and prepare legal documents for filing in trial and appellate courts.
• Prepare oral presentations for the court proceedings identified above.

Skills

Legal research

Court representation

Communication

Education

Baccalaureate degree

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

Job description

Starting Compensation: $72,235.00/Annually

Find job security and stability alongside a growing community and a team that supports you. Level up your career through a large network and specialty training.

JOB SUMMARY

Attorney providing professional legal representation to indigent adults charged with crime and to juveniles in delinquency proceedings. Practice in magisterial district court, court of common pleas, and Pennsylvania appellate courts.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• IN-COURT REPRESENTATION Provide competent and effective legal representation to adult defendants and to allegedly delinquent children in the following court proceedings:
  • Preliminary hearings in magisterial district court for adults charged with homicide, felony offenses, misdemeanor offenses.
  • Trials in magisterial district court for summary offenses in which incarceration is a likely punishment.
  • Jury and non‑jury trials in the court of common pleas for adults charged with homicide, felony offenses, and misdemeanor offenses.
  • Pre‑trial hearings, guilty plea hearings, and sentencing hearings in the court of common pleas for adults charged with homicide, felony offenses, and misdemeanor offenses.
  • Parole/probation violation hearings in the court of common pleas.
  • Administrative parole violation hearings initiated by the Pennsylvania Parole Board.
  • Post‑Conviction Relief Act hearings in the court of common pleas.
  • Proceedings under the Protection from Abuse Act in the court of common pleas.
  • Representation of adults in the court of common pleas in miscellaneous matters: support contempt hearings; bench warrant court; fines & costs hearings; summary appeal hearings; Drug Court; Mental Health Court; Veterans Court; and ARD Court.
  • Adjudicatory and dispositional hearings in the court of common pleas for children in juvenile delinquency cases.
  • Detention hearings in the Youth Intervention Center for children in juvenile delinquency cases.
  • Post‑dispositional review hearings for children in juvenile delinquency cases.
  • Direct appeal of any of the above matters in the Pennsylvania appellate courts.
• OUT-OF-COURT REPRESENTATION Provide competent and effective legal representation to adult defendants and to allegedly delinquent children in the following out‑of‑court activities:
  • Communicate with clients in various settings: live office interviews; prison interviews; telephone calls; and letters.
  • Communicate with client's family, loved‑ones, doctors, teachers, social workers.
  • Perform factual investigation individually or coordinate factual investigation with Public Defender investigative staff.
  • Review file materials, including all police reports, witness statements, expert reports, and medical records.
  • Coordinate the involvement of defense expert either hired by Public Defender or appointed by the court.
  • Perform legal research.
  • Prepare legal documents for filing in the court of common pleas and the Pennsylvania appellate courts.
  • Prepare oral presentations for the court proceedings identified above at Essential Job Function #1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Baccalaureate degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science).
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge skills and ability to perform this job.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the rules and regulations of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; if meeting the criteria for "driver" designation under the Lancaster County Transportation Policy, then compliance with "Authorized Driver Guidelines" under same Policy; Criminal history background check.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Commitment to providing a high level of professional service to indigent adults charged with crime and to children in delinquency proceedings. Ability to communicate with clientele, opposing counsel, judges, court‑related personnel, prison personnel, and witnesses.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is sedentary in nature. Except in the context of driving a motor vehicle in the course of employment, there are no specific physical demand.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability.

The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status.

The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.

About Us

Working for Lancaster County offers not just a job, but a chance to thrive both professionally and personally.

The benefits package for full‑time employees, including paid time off, health insurance and flexible healthcare plans, ensures that you feel valued and supported in your role.

With employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and more, you'll have the resources you need to provide excellent service to the 550,000 residents of Lancaster County.

With 1,600 full‑time employees and 300 part‑time employees spread across 40 departments, there are plenty of opportunities for growth and development within the county.

Whether you're interested in human services, public safety, administration, or any other field, there's a place for you to make a difference and advance your career.

Lancaster County itself is a vibrant and diverse community, offering something for everyone.

From the peaceful farmland to the bustling city and towns, there's always something new to discover.

Joining the team at Lancaster County means becoming part of a community dedicated to maintaining and improving this wonderful place we call home.