Assistant Public Defender- Misdemeanors

Memorial Coliseum; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Deputy Public Defender – Misdemeanors in Fort Wayne, Indiana, operates under the Public Defender’s Office to provide indigent defense in Allen County courts. The role requires admission to the Indiana bar and ABA-accredited law school, with responsibilities spanning client contact, court appearances, appeals, and coordination with support staff.

Hours vary around 37.5 per week; the position is employee-at-will and offers opportunities to handle complex misdemeanor and felony cases, with

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.

Responsibilities

• Represents defendants in court appearances and pretrial proceedings.
• Maintains contact with clients via correspondence, calls, and meetings.
• Works with staff to provide high-quality criminal defense.
• Attends post-trial sentencing when plea bargains or trials occur.
• Files appeals when trial errors occurred.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Written communication

Communication skills

Multitasking

Time management

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

Deputy Public Defender – Misdemeanors

Department: Public Defender’s Office - Misdemeanor FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification/Level: Special Occupation Date: 11/2018

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

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

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