Trial Division Public Defender – Senior Attorney

Pdssoftware; Bellefonte, Northern (Centre County, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Centre County Government is seeking a 911 Dispatcher Trainee - Public Safety Telecommunicator. This full-time exempt position involves handling litigation-related responsibilities in a public safety context as described in the duties above.

The role requires a Juris Doctorate and Pennsylvania licensure as an attorney with 5–10 years of criminal law experience, along with a valid PA driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Litigation of trials, appeals, and collateral review actions.
• Assigns and prioritizes caseload demands.
• Investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses and conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials.
• Participates in selection and training of Assistant Public Defenders.
• Represents defendant in criminal actions from preliminary hearings through jury trial and final appeal.
• Prepares post-trial motions, prepares and writes briefs, memos, appeals, and presents oral arguments to courts.
• Conducts preliminary attorney conferences.
• Interacts with other internal departments, police and external agencies and general public.
• Performs duties of the Chief Public Defender in the absence of the Chief Public Defender and First Assistant Public Defender.
• Visits mental hospitals, jails and state correctional facilities if client is detained.
• Conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials.
• Negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney for clients.
• Utilizes computer for docketing, drafting letters and other legal correspondence or reports.

Responsibilities

• Litigation of trials, appeals, and collateral review actions.
• Assigns and prioritizes caseload demands.
• Investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses and conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials.
• Participates in selection and training of Assistant Public Defenders.
• Represents defendant in criminal actions from preliminary hearings through jury trial and final appeal.
• Prepares post-trial motions, prepares and writes briefs, memos, appeals, and presents oral arguments to courts.
• Conducts preliminary attorney conferences.
• Interacts with other internal departments, police and external agencies and general public.
• Performs duties of the Chief Public Defender in the absence of the Chief Public Defender and First Assistant Public Defender.
• Visits mental hospitals, jails and state correctional facilities if client is detained.
• Conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials.
• Negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney for clients.
• Utilizes computer for docketing, drafting letters and other legal correspondence or reports.

Job description

Centre County Government is seeking a 911 Dispatcher Trainee - Public Safety Telecommunicator. This full-time exempt position involves handling litigation-related responsibilities in a public safety context as described in the duties above.

The role requires a Juris Doctorate and Pennsylvania licensure as an attorney with 5–10 years of criminal law experience, along with a valid PA driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed.