Entry-Level Public Defender: Misdemeanor Defense

County of Riverside; California (MO); On-site; USD 72,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Riverside's Law Offices of the Public Defender seeks Deputy Public Defender I to serve in Riverside, Murrieta, Banning and Indio. Incumbents will perform professional legal work in the misdemeanor unit and related duties as required, providing vigorous advocacy and strong client-centered representation.

Experience in a law office is preferred, and post-bar applicants are encouraged to apply. A California Bar license and a valid California driver's license are required; applicants

Qualifications

• License/Certificate: Active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Post-bar applicants must provide the date the bar was administered to be considered.

Responsibilities

• Interviews applicants for public defense and determines financial eligibility; advises and counsels defendants on legal rights and procedures.
• Investigates, researches, and prepares cases for the defense; presents and defends cases in the Justice, Municipal, and Superior Courts.
• Analyzes legal issues for pending cases; prepares trial briefs and checks questions of law; argues points of law and makes final arguments of summations.
• Negotiates with the prosecuting authorities regarding the disposition or modification of charges in specific cases; does legal research in the specific area of criminal law; prepares correspondence and reports.
• Reviews progress and development of cases with supervisory deputies.

Skills

Legal analysis

Oral advocacy

Written briefs

Legal research

Job description

The County of Riverside's Law Offices of the Public Defender seeks Deputy Public Defender I to serve in Riverside, Murrieta, Banning and Indio. Incumbents will perform professional legal work in the misdemeanor unit and related duties as required, providing vigorous advocacy and strong client-centered representation.

Experience in a law office is preferred, and post-bar applicants are encouraged to apply. A California Bar license and a valid California driver's license are required; applicants