Defense Counsel (Clinton)

047 INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM; Clinton (OK); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 days vacation + 15 days sick leave

11 paid holidays

Retirement savings plan

Longevity bonus

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Defense Counsel in Clinton office for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System is seeking a full-time attorney to handle non-capital trial work, providing zealous advocacy in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, traffic and wildlife cases.

You will manage cases, communicate with clients, and coordinate with staff while meeting court deadlines; the role offers a stable state government environment and opportunities for advancement.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree and active State Bar of Oklahoma membership, or eligibility for admission.

Responsibilities

• Performs case management at all phases of direct appeal in the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
• Communicates with client about plea negotiations and post-judgement proceedings.
• Communicates with client’s friends and family to obtain information without disclosing privileged information.
• Conducts investigations relating to guilt or innocence and potential sentences.
• Collects and maintains evidence acquired through investigation.
• Prepares for trial by filing pretrial motions and developing defense strategy.
• Conducts ongoing legal research and brief preparation.
• Prepares for jury selection with questions and challenges.
• Preserves legal error for appellate review.
• Serves as Co-Counsel as assigned.
• Provides consultation and support to other attorneys and staff.
• Performs administrative duties when asked.
• Level descriptors: Levels I-VI based on criminal litigation and trial experience.

Skills

Critical thinking

Legal research

Written and oral communication

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Sound judgment

Education

Juris Doctorate

State Bar Oklahoma member

Bar admission eligibility

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Oklahoma State Court Network

Legal research resources

Job description

Defense Counsel (Clinton) Agency 047 INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM Supervisory Organization Okla Indigent Defense System

Job Posting End Date Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time Full time

Job Type Regular

Compensation Salary commensurate with qualifications and within agency salary schedule.

Job Description

The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS) is the statewide public defender agency which provides legal representation to indigent clients throughout the State of Oklahoma, with the exception of Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. OIDS is currently seeking a full-time Defense Counsel in our Non-Capital Trial Division, Clinton office.

Basic Purpose

Provide legal representation in non-capital cases, within the bounds and forums provided by law, in all phases of assigned cases. Defense Counsel represent indigent individuals in state court at the trial level in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile delinquency, traffic and wildlife cases; Counsel is also responsible for providing clients with competent legal advice and zealous advocacy at every phase of the criminal trial process.

Typical Functions

• Performs case management activities at all phases of the direct appeal in the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. This includes maintaining complete and accurate files of all pleadings and orders
• Communicates with client on all aspects of the case, including plea negotiations and post-judgement proceedings, according to agency policy and standards to ensure client can make informed decisions regarding legal representation
• Communicates with client’s friends and family to obtain pertinent information without disclosing privileged communication or confidential information
• Conducts independent and expeditious investigations relating to the client’s guilt or innocence and potential sentences
• Collects and maintains evidence acquired through the investigation per established standards and laws
• Prepares for trial by filing pretrial motions; develop plea negotiation strategy based on jurisdictional practices and policies and with client’s input; securing assistance from experts; and formulating a defense theory based on information produced through the investigation
• Conducts ongoing legal research to identify new issues and prepare for briefing of argument on motions
• Prepares for jury selection by considering legal challenges to selection procedure and developing questions and challenges to determine if the potential juror is suitable
• Preserves legal error for appellate review on all applicable grounds
• Serves as Co-Counsel as assigned
• Provides consultation, advice, assistance, and support to other attorneys and staff
• Performs administrative duties when asked
• Level Descriptor Positions may be filled at Levels I - VI, depending on candidate experience. Salary commensurate with qualifications and agency salary schedule.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of applicable state and federal laws; applicable regulations for non-capital trials; constitutional law and the Oklahoma constitution; agency policies and procedures; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; methods and techniques for conducting legal research and writing. Skills required include critical thinking; conducting legal research; written and oral communication; Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; attention to detail; sound judgment and decision making. Abilities required include presenting statements of fact and law; clearly and logically articulate position in written and oral form; analyze, interpret, and apply various laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures; direct and/or perform independent and difficult research, analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems; conduct legal research on Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, the Oklahoma State Court Network, and printed or internet-based legal resources; meet timelines while following the Oklahoma statutes; and represent the agency in a professional manner.

Education and Experience

Applicants should possess a Juris Doctorate degree, active membership and good standing with the State Bar of Oklahoma, or eligibility for admission. Or applicants should be scheduled to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam.

• Level I: < 3 years of relevant criminal litigation experience.
• Level II: 3+ years of relevant criminal litigation experience with 1+ years criminal trial experience.
• Level III: 3+ years of relevant criminal litigation experience with 2+ years criminal trial experience.
• Level IV: 3+ years of relevant criminal litigation experience with 3+ years criminal trial experience.
• Level V: 3+ years of relevant criminal litigation experience with 4+ years criminal trial experience.
• Level VI: 3+ years of relevant criminal litigation experience with 5+ years criminal trial experience.

Special Requirements

• Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct.

Benefit Highlights

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
• Wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
• Life/Supplemental Life/Dependent Life/Disability insurance plans
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
• Employee assistance program and health/fitness programs
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees (amounts increase with years of service)
• 11 paid holidays
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
• Longevity Bonus for years of service

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Industries: Government Administration Worker Size: 10,001+ Employees Headquarters: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Agency Contact Oklahoma State Government is the largest employer in the state of Oklahoma, employing over 35,000 diverse and talented employees in more than 100 state agencies, boards and commissions. Our workplaces can be found across the state from Boise City to Idabel, Hollis to Miami, and everywhere in between. To learn more about our state agencies, visit here.

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