Assistant Public Defender Juvenile

Memorial Coliseum; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Public Defender’s Office in Fort Wayne, Indiana seeks a Deputy Public Defender to provide criminal defense to indigent defendants in Allen County. The role reports to the Chief Public Defender and involves courtroom appearances, client communication, and appeals where appropriate.

Requirements include a Indiana license, ABA-law school graduation, and at least two years in criminal litigation. Salary and benefits align with public defender guidelines.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law.
• Valid Indiana license to practice law.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and a large volume of work.
• Minimum of two years of experience in criminal litigation.
• Lead or co-counsel in two felony jury trials or one felony jury trial plus approved trial course.

Responsibilities

• Represents defendants in all court appearances, including pretrial discovery and plea withdrawals.
• Maintains regular contact with clients via correspondence, calls, and in-person meetings.
• Performs effective and high-quality legal representation for indigent defendants facing felony or misdemeanor charges.
• Attends post-trial sentencing hearings for clients negotiating pleabargains or found guilty.
• Files appeals when errors are found affecting fair trial rights.

Skills

Excellent written communication

Ability to handle multiple priorities

Education

ABA accredited law school

Job description

Public Defender - Department, 1 East Main Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Department: Public Defender’s Office FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification/Level: Special Occupation Date: 04/2023

Under the direction of the Chief Public Defender, the Deputy Public Defender provides criminal defense to indigent defendants in the courts of Allen County, Indiana as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Indiana Constitution and Indiana state law. This position is covered under the Circuit Court Employee Handbook. This is an employee-at-will position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

• Works directly with defendant and maintains regular contact with clients through correspondence, phone calls, and in person meetings, while upholding ethical duties of loyalty and confidentiality.
• Represents defendants in all court appearances, including pretrial discovery, withdraw pleas, and suppression notices.
• Works with support staff to provide effective and high quality legal representation to accused indigent people facing felony or misdemeanor charges, juvenile adjudication, and mental health commitments.
• Attends post-trial sentencing hearings for clients who negotiate plea bargains or are found guilty in trial.
• Files appeals when errors are found in court proceedings which prevented the defendant from having a fair trial.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law
• Valid Indiana license to practice law
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and a large volume of work
• Minimum of two years of experience in criminal litigation
• Must have prior experience as lead or co-counsel in no fewer than two felony jury trials that went to verdict or one felony jury trial and one Indiana Public Defender Commission approved trial practice course

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

The Deputy Public Defender performs work that consists of many complex and significant variables when providing criminal defense to indigent defendants. Extensive judgement and adaptation is required to provide effective and high quality legal representation.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Deputy Public Defender performs work that is extensive and consequential while representing defendants. The Deputy Public Defender works with little to no supervision and is responsible for providing effective and high quality legal representation to all assigned defendants.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Deputy Public Defender maintains frequent communication with defendants, judges, prosecutors, probation, law enforcement, investigators and Public Defender office staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Deputy Public Defender performs work in a courtroom and office type setting. Very frequent typing, attention to detail, detailed inspection and transcription/proofreading exists.

SUPERVISION:

None

LICENSING:

Valid Indiana license to practice law

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Chief Public Defender

HOURS:

Hours vary; 37.5 hours

EEO CATEGORY:

8820

WORKERS’S COMP CODE:

0103

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). Accordingly, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, disability or medical condition, national origin, and veteran status, and all other categories protected by federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Reasonable accommodations for persons with a known disabling condition will be considered in accordance with State and Federal Law.

Public Defender - Department, 1 East Main Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America