PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER, MENTAL HEALTH - 21072258

State of Florida; Florida; On-site; USD 70,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Florida is seeking an Assistant Public Defender for the Mental Health Division. This role involves providing legal representation for individuals facing involuntary services under the Baker Act, ensuring their rights are safeguarded during the legal process. The office offers ongoing training and competitive benefits, aiming to support the public through effective legal defense in mental health cases.

Benefits

Annual and Sick Leave benefits

Paid holidays

State Group Insurance options

Retirement plan options

Qualifications

• Member in good standing with The Florida Bar required.
• Knowledge of Florida mental health laws and civil procedures essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation for individuals under the Baker Act.
• Advocate for patient rights in mental health evaluations and treatments.

Skills

Knowledge of Florida Statutes

Understanding of Baker Act

Legal representation skills

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

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PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER, MENTAL HEALTH - 21072258

Date: May 29, 2025

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

Requisition No:853956

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER, MENTAL HEALTH - 21072258

Assistant Public Defender – Mental Health Division

The Work You Will Do:

The Office of the Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit is seeking qualified applicants for an Assistant Public Defender in the Baker Act/Mental Health Division

• An attorney in the Mental Health Division provides legal representation and advocacy for individuals in jeopardy of having their liberty restrained through involuntary services, placement and/or continued involuntary placement under the “Baker Act.”
• A Baker Act attorney specializes in representing individuals involved in the Florida Mental Health Act (Baker Act) Chapter 394 Florida Statutes. This Act addresses involuntary mental health evaluations and treatment. The Act provides patient rights during the process and mandates that proof by clear and convincing evidence that an individual meets the criteria set forth in the law. Baker Act attorneys play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals’ legal rights are protected throughout the mental health process. Note that the Rules of Civil Procedure apply.

How You Will Grow :

The Office of the Public Defender provides in-house training opportunities monthly, as well as opportunities to attend seminars and training opportunities offered by the National Association of Public Defense, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Public Defender Association and more.

Pay:

• Starting: $70,000.00 annually; negotiable based on experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate
• Applicants must be a member of and in good standing with The Florida Bar.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• The Baker Act attorney must know and understand Florida Statutes, the following chapters in particular: Chapter 394 and Chapter 381 (Public health – specifically patient bill of rights); Chapter 744 (guardianship); Chapter 765 (surrogate/proxy)
• Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

Please note:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.

Our Organization and Mission :

The Office of the Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit provides legal representation for indigent individuals accused of criminal offenses. The Second Judicial Circuit encompasses six Florida counties: Leon, Gadsden, Liberty, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin.

Each fiscal year, the Second Judicial Circuit represents indigent clients in both criminal trial and criminal appeal appointments, equating to nearly 16,500 criminal cases for six (6) Florida counties and over 1,100 cases on appeal for the 32 counties that make up the First District Court of Appeal.

The Office of Public Defender came into existence in 1963 following the United States Supreme Court's landmark decision in Gideon v. Wainwright. The Court ruled that indigent citizens have the fundamental right to the assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Under the direction of Public Defender Jessica J. Yeary, the office is comprised of dedicated criminal defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and support staff who work tirelessly to ensure equal justice for all.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida :

The Office of the Public Defender is not an agency in the State Personnel System, but offers the same benefits as state agencies, including State Group Insurance and participation in the Florida Retirement System.

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, flexible spending accounts, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com ),

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.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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