Public Defender Investigator

Judicial Branch; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Judicial Branch in North Carolina seeks a Public Defender Investigator (S) to support the Office of the Public Defender, District 22, by investigating serious misdemeanor and felony cases assigned by the courts. The role involves client interviews, evidence gathering, and coordinating expert witnesses.

Responsibilities include visiting clients in jail, preparing reports, reviewing criminal histories, and assisting attorneys at trial.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college or university (preferably in law, criminal justice, psychology, or sociology).
• One year of experience in legal, judicial, law enforcement or investigative work.
• Associate degree may substitute for four-year degree with three years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Investigate serious misdemeanor and felony cases to collect information used to verify evidence or substantiate innocence.
• Visit clients in jail to interview and assess bond considerations.
• Prepare written reports and evaluate information with the assigned attorney.
• Photograph, measure, and diagram crime scenes to scale for evidence correlation.
• Arrange defense expert witnesses and coordinate delivery of evidence to experts.
• Research criminal histories of defendants, witnesses, and potential jurors.
• Ensure appearance of witnesses at trial and assist in witness preparation.
• Assist counsel with facts during trial and conduct special investigations as directed.

Skills

Criminal law

Court system knowledge

Evidence collection

Investigation techniques

Information sources

Word processing

Report writing

Subpoenas

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree substitute

Tools

MS Word

Case management software

Job description

Agency Indigent Defense Services Division Indigent Defense Services Job Classification Title Public Defender Investigator (S) Position Number 65044029 Grade 30013208

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $52,217.00 - $79,057.00

The Office of the Public Defender, District 22, which consists of Rockingham and Caswell counties, seeks a qualified individual to investigate all areas of serious misdemeanor and felony indigent defendants' cases that have been assigned by the courts to the Public Defender's Office.

Duties

• Investigate serious misdemeanor and felony cases to collect information used to verify evidence or to substantiate innocence.
• Visit clients in jail to conduct initial interviews, and when indicated, consider the appropriateness of and expedition of bond reduction.
• Determine what facts, opinions, or background information witnesses have that is relevant to the case and prepare a written report, and/or evaluate information with the assigned attorney.
• Photograph, measure, and draw the crime scene to scale to determine its relationship to the physical evidence.
• Arrange defense expert witnesses, review experts' credentials, evaluate their potential effectiveness with the jury, and coordinate delivery of evidence to experts.
• Research criminal histories of defendants, witnesses, and potential jurors.
• Ensure appearance of witnesses at time of trial and assist in witness preparation.
• Assist counsel with facts of the case during trial.
• Conduct special investigations as directed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

• Knowledge of: criminal law and the local court system; evidence collection, investigation, and identification techniques and procedures; and information sources and the ability to extract information from those sources.
• Skill in: computers and word processing to prepare reports, motions, orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents; and effectively communicate with people of diverse backgrounds both orally and in writing.
• Ability to: plan and organize an effective approach to the investigation of complex cases and to independently develop leads; schedule work to achieve results on time; prepare clients, their families, and witnesses for court; work irregular hours in conducting investigations; make pertinent observations and to analyze those observations with the charges in a given case; and inspire the confidence of the community in the public defender's office.

Valid North Carolina driver's license required.

Minimum Education and Experience

Minimum Education and Experience Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience". If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Graduation from a four-year college or university, preferably in the field of law, criminal justice, psychology, or sociology, and one (1) year of experience in legal, judicial, law enforcement or investigative work. An associate degree with three (3) years of experience in the above mentioned fields may substitute for the four year college degree requirement. Other combinations of education and experience that provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Attach cover letter and résumé.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.