Assistant Public Defender

Job Description

The Assistant Public Defender is responsible for representing indigent defendants accused of crimes in General Sessions Court, Family Court, Magistrates Court and/or Municipal Courts.

Essential Functions:

• Receives, reviews, and evaluates assigned criminal cases, to include various records and reports related to the case.
• Conducts interviews and conferences with defendants, victims, witnesses, law enforcement, solicitors, magistrates, probation and parole representatives, and judges.
• Provides legal advice to indigent defendants.
• Performs legal research; prepares and files responsive documentation.
• Evaluates crime scene investigations.
• Prepares, attends, and participates in motion hearings, bond hearings, in-chamber judicial conferences, jail transport requests and case negotiations.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the Public Defender, other staff members, law enforcement agencies, solicitors, private attorneys, defendants, witnesses, victims, court employees, judges, jurors, medical staff, forensic experts, news media and the general public.
• Must attend continuing legal education courses and obtain the necessary hours of continuing legal education as required by the South Carolina Bar and/or the Office of Indigent Defense in order to maintain license to practice law.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Attends meetings, conferences and seminars as necessary.
• Performs all other related duties as required.

Qualifications: Education and Work Experience

• Requires a Juris Doctor degree supplemented by one to two years of experience practicing law, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Must be a member of the S.C. Bar Association.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally be required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• Must be able to reach, bend, stoop, carry, move and lift 10 lb. objects regularly.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must have the ability to travel up to 20%.

Company Description

Vision

Florence County strives to be an exceptional place to live, work, and visit by enhancing the quality of life for our employees and those who call the County home, by encouraging innovation and economic opportunities, and by fostering trust and integrity in the County.

Mission

Florence County will provide high-quality public services, plan for the needs of our citizens, and promote a safe, healthy, and thriving community for all.

Benefits

• South Carolina Retirement System
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Retiree Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Flexible Spending Account
• Onsite Employee Health Clinic
• Onsite Employee Workout Facility
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Supplemental Insurance Options
• Discounted rates at local fitness facilities