Assistant Public Defender

MARQUETTE COUNTY

To apply please complete the application available on our website: www.co.marquette.mi.us

ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER *wage increase*

Department: Public Defender Classification: 12

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay range: $35.16-$42.90

Reports to: Chief Public Defender Union: Non-Represented

General Summary

Under the supervision of the Chief Public Defender, the Assistant Public Defender is a trial lawyer position who serves as attorney for indigent clients throughout Marquette County and as an advocate for indigent defense. The Assistant Public Defender performs legal research using electronic and online tools, handles cases in District and Circuit Court, and provides representation of individuals on the arraignment docket. This position may handle other cases as directed by the Chief Public Defender. The Assistant Public Defender shall advocate in the best interest for clients while providing quality legal representation for defendants without means to retain legal counsel, after being charged with criminal or civil violations.

Essential Functions

1. The Assistant Public Defender provides court appointed indigent defense services within Marquette County courts and carries a full caseload, as determined by the Chief Public Defender.

2. Attends legal and community meetings as directed.

3. Reviews charging instruments, police reports, and other discovery provided by the prosecution.

4. Promptly meets with clients and learns the client’s goals for the representation and any special needs of the client.

5. Determines what further fact investigation to undertake and directs that investigation, determining what legal issues need development and researches those issues.

6. Negotiates with the prosecution and promptly advises the client of the status of the negotiations.

7. Drafts any necessary motions, briefs, and orders.

8. Litigates any legal issue that is necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial.

9. Conducts any required post-trial litigation, maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions; maintains accurate, complete and legible case files.

10. Maintains availability to other staff members for consultation and education; participates in training programs; maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions.

11. Complies with requirements of the MIDC Standards for ongoing training.

12. Performs attorney functions, other duties, and special projects, as assigned by senior attorneys, the Chief Public Defender, or designee.

Other Functions

13. Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to privacy and confidentiality.

14. Must adhere to all other County policies and procedures.

15. Drafts informational blog posts for the departmental website.

16. Performs other duties as assigned.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.

Employment Qualifications

Education: Juris Doctor degree with a Certificate of Admittance to the State Bar of Michigan as evidence of continued good professional standing and authority to practice law through the state.

Experience: Prefer three years of criminal law experience and some District Court trial experience. Circuit Court trial experience is helpful.

Other Requirements:

· Valid Driver’s License

· Reliable and predictable attendance

· Comfortable with the daily use of technology

· Ability to perform without additional clerical support, if necessary

· Must maintain State Bar of Michigan Certificate of Admittance throughout employment with the County.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Physical Requirements:

· Ability to access all courtrooms within the County.

· Ability to remove books and other reference materials from bookshelves and transport to worksite.

· Prolonged sitting and standing while in the courtroom.

· Ability to carry briefcase, files, and legal volumes to courtrooms.

This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.

Working Conditions:

· Works in office and courtrooms.

· Occasional extended work days including beyond eight hours, and weekends.

· Exposure to individuals charged and/or convicted of a variety of criminal offenses.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35.16 - $42.90 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $35 - $43