What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Public Defender position at Montgomery County Pennsylvania?
- SUMMARY
The Montgomery County Public Defender's Office is now hiring for the position of Assistant Public Defender. The successful candidate will be assigned to the adult trial division of the office.
The Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender is committed to delivering the highest standard of legal representation to adults and juveniles in criminal matters, including trial, sentencing, and appeals. We understand that each case is unique and strive to provide collaborative, client-centered and community-oriented representation. Our team of over 40 attorneys is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes in the cases we handle, while also addressing the underlying issues that have led to our clients' involvement in the justice system and improving their lives.
This position requires an experienced attorney to represent adult or juvenile clients in all phases of the criminal and delinquency system. This includes from the time the case is received by the Clerk of Courts, or if applicable, the preliminary hearing/detention/intake hearing stage, through sentencing/disposition to ensure that the client's due process rights are protected.
- ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Direct personal consultation with public defender clients from the of inception of the legal proceedings through their completion;
- The preparation of persuasive legal arguments to advocate for the client's interest at each stage of the legal proceeding;
- Overseeing the discovery, collection and presentation of all facts that support a client's interests at each stage of the legal proceedings;
- Engaging in holistic representation practices that attempt to assist the client in collateral matters that impact the direct legal representation of the client;
- Working within the organization to advocate for structural change that will benefit the interest of public defender clients and,
- Perform related work at the request of the Defender or First Assistant when necessary.
- QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Licensed and admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the intention to sit for the next available Pennsylvania Bar exam;
- Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills;
- Demonstrated commitment to public service;
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system and criminal Trial experience preferred.
- A strong work ethic and ability to manage a demanding workload and,
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- 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 is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
