Public Defender II: Wrongful Convictions Unit

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

IPERS retirement

Employee Assistance Program

Retirement plan

Job summary

State of Iowa - Executive Branch, Iowa Public Defender’s Office in Polk County, seeks an attorney for Public Defender 2 in the Wrongful Convictions Unit. You will advocate for indigent clients, prepare defense, conduct interviews, and represent clients in court at various proceedings.

Applicants must have a law degree, be licensed to practice in Iowa, and meet the two-year trial advocacy experience requirement. This is a non-merit, exempt civil service position with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school and a license to practice law in Iowa.
• Experience equivalent to two years of full-time professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every stage of the criminal justice system.
• Represent clients in court at pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trial s, and other hearings.
• Prepare a defense, conduct legal research, interview clients and witnesses to determine case merits.
• Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions with prosecutors.
• Maintain client communications about case status and strategy.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Indigent defense

Courtroom representation

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Iowa law license

Job description

State of Iowa - Executive Branch, Iowa Public Defender’s Office in Polk County, seeks an attorney for Public Defender 2 in the Wrongful Convictions Unit. You will advocate for indigent clients, prepare defense, conduct interviews, and represent clients in court at various proceedings.

Applicants must have a law degree, be licensed to practice in Iowa, and meet the two-year trial advocacy experience requirement. This is a non-merit, exempt civil service position with comprehensive benefits.