Juvenile Justice Attorney II - Impactful Indigent Defense

City of Indianapolis; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Marion County Public Defender Agency seeks an attorney to provide effective representation to indigent juveniles charged with offenses equivalent to Level 6. You will exercise independent judgment where policies are absent and coordinate with trial teams, social workers, and experts to build cases.

The role demands a Juris Doctorate and a law license, plus at least one year in criminal or juvenile litigation.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and license to practice law required.
• One year of experience in criminal or juvenile litigation.
• If prior experience is only in a criminal matter, must also have completed 6 hours of training in a juvenile delinquency practice course approved by the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys.
• Strong verbal, written, communication and presentation skills are required along with top level interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Division attorneys must comply with Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys standards, guidelines, and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Primarily assigned to represent clients charged with the juvenile equivalent of a level 6 felony offense, if the offense was committed by an adult.
• Appears in court to provide effective representation of counsel to indigent persons in juvenile courts.
• Conducts legal and factual review of the case; evaluates the legal and factual evidence for, or against, the client; engages in pretrial motion practice; and takes and defends depositions.
• Consults with client, interviews witnesses and consults with medical, forensic, DNA or other experts as needed to effectively represent client.
• Consults with opposing counsel to negotiate case disposition to include plea agreements and other disposition, including litigating case to the court or trying to jury.
• Communicates with clients through regular methods to include telephone conversations, in person interviews, and jail consultations.
• Reviews and updates court files; keeps client and families updated on case progress.
• Delegates assignments to paralegal II and investigators, as appropriate
• Collaborates with Social Workers on multi-disciplinary strategies to achieve client objectives.
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctorate

License to practice law

Job description

Marion County Public Defender Agency seeks an attorney to provide effective representation to indigent juveniles charged with offenses equivalent to Level 6. You will exercise independent judgment where policies are absent and coordinate with trial teams, social workers, and experts to build cases.

The role demands a Juris Doctorate and a law license, plus at least one year in criminal or juvenile litigation.