PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21008036

State-of-Florida; Bartow (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Public Defender – Tenth Judicial Circuit in Florida seeks an Assistant Public Defender to prepare and defend indigent clients in criminal matters in the Sebring area. The attorney will interview clients and witnesses, handle briefs and motions, and perform substantial legal research and court appearances.

The position requires admission to the Florida Bar or pending results, a willingness to reside in the circuit, and a strong commitment to public service and protecting defendants’

Qualifications

• Active member in good standing with The Florida Bar or recent law school graduate awaiting Bar Exam or results
• Reside in the 10th Circuit or surrounding community within a reasonable time of accepting employment
• Knowledge of criminal law and procedure
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
• Ability to manage a high volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients.
• Ability to make regularly scheduled court appearances; conduct case evaluation, investigation and preparation including but not limited to witness interviews, legal research, motion preparation, and related work as required; occasional unscheduled matters may arise
• Basic computer skills
• Commitment to public service and protecting the rights of the criminally accused

Responsibilities

• Prepare cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses
• Interviews clients and prospective witnesses
• Prepares or oversees the drafting of briefs, memoranda, pleadings, and other legal papers
• Conducts legal research
• Represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, dispositions, and other proceedings
• Interviews clients in custody and makes initial decisions concerning bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial
• Determines need for expert witnesses

Skills

Criminal law knowledge

Legal research

Court appearances

Client communication

Attention to detail

Basic computer skills

Public service commitment

Education

Florida Bar admission

Law degree (J.D.)

Job description

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PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21008036

Date: Sep 9, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on ourE-Verify Website .

Requisition No:883418

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21008036

Geographic Location: Sebring, Highlands County

Starting Date: approx.: To be determined

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

• Prepare cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses
• Interviews clients and prospective witnesses
• Prepares or oversees the drafting of briefs, memoranda, pleadings, and other legal papers
• Conducts legal research
• Represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, dispositions, and other proceedings
• Interviews clients in custody and makes initial decisions concerning bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial
• Determines need for expert witnesses
• Performs related work as required.

ATTORNEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active member in good standing with The Florida Bar or recent law school graduate awaiting Bar Exam or results
• Reside in the 10th Circuit or surrounding community within a reasonable time of accepting employment
• Knowledge of criminal law and procedure
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
• Ability to manage a high volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients.
• Ability to make regularly scheduled court appearances; conduct case evaluation, investigation and preparation including but not limited to witness interviews, legal research, motion preparation, and related work as required; occasional unscheduled matters may arise
• Basic computer skills
• Commitment to public service and protecting the rights of the criminally accused

THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN THE 10TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT:

Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties are ideally located:

• On the I4 corridor midway between Tampa and Orlando
• Less congested than major metropolitan areas
• Less than an hour drive to the Gulf beaches and Florida’s theme parks
• Low cost of living
• High quality schools
• Beautiful Bok Tower, Legoland, and spring training home of the Detroit Tigers
• World famous fishing and water sports on hundreds of lakes
• See the real Florida in numerous state and local parks with hiking trails and bountiful wildlife

WE ARE AN AGGRESSIVE TRIAL OFFICE. IF YOU WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CASES; IF YOU WANT TO GET OFF YOUR CHAIR, OUT OF YOUR OFFICE AND INTO A COURTROOM; IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A TOP NOTCH TRIAL LAWYER – THIS IS THE OFFICE FOR YOU.

Employer: Office of the Public Defender – Tenth Judicial Circuit

Contact Name/Title: Tami Locke, Administrative Assistant

Address: P.O. Box 9000 – Drawer PD; Bartow, Florida 33831

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.