Attorney 2

State-of-Georgi; Jefferson (GA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Georgia through the Georgia Public Defender Council seeks an Assistant Public Defender 2 in Jackson County. This role represents indigent clients in Superior Court and performs beginning-level professional legal work while developing advocacy skills.

The position requires a Juris Doctorate, Georgia bar admission within one year, and at least one year of experience as a practicing attorney. The office emphasizes zealous representation and ethical practice.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university.
• License to practice law in the State of Georgia.
• 1+ year of experience as a practicing attorney.

Responsibilities

• Represent indigent clients in Superior Court at various stages of cases.
• Review discovery, interview clients, prepare motions and trial materials.
• Develop defense theory and case strategies; interview witnesses and experts.

Skills

Legal research

Court representation

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia! We are the force that drives Georgia! Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens! Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career! Job Title: Attorney 2 Agency: Georgia Public Defender Council Job Requisition ID: JR0000004364 Shift: Day (United States of America) Compensation Details:

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.

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.

Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's 10 million citizens. With nearly 62,000 employees, we are one of the single largest employer in the state. Public service opportunities stretch across the state as employees live and work in all 159 counties. From traditional fields such as accounting, nursing, and engineering to unique fields like forestry and natural resources management, Georgia state government provides a world of opportunity.