Assistant Public Defender

Qualifications

County Values: All employees of Ontario County are expected to uphold and exhibit the County’s shared values and behaviors to achieve the County’s Vision and Mission.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduated from a regionally accredited college or university, or a New York State registered college or university with an undergraduate degree, followed by a Law Degree from an accredited Law School.
• Admitted to the practice of law in the state of New York, and continuously admitted throughout the term of service as the Assistant Public Defender.

Experience

Prior experience in representing individuals in a Public Defender office or through an 18-b panel is preferred but not required. Trial experience preferred but not required.

Description Of Duties

• Provide zealous legal representation of the highest caliber.
• Work collaboratively with office attorneys, social workers, defense investigators, and administrative staff.
• Promote a collaborative, client-centered office setting.
• Handle a full caseload of criminal matters including arraignments, preliminary hearings, pretrial proceedings, hearings, and trials.
• Appear at criminal and administrative proceedings in the local, county, and state courts located within Ontario County.
• Handle first appearances in courts throughout Ontario County and the Centralized Arraignment Part.
• Assist the Public Defender in legal research in the preparation of pretrial motions and trial memoranda.
• Maintain accurate records and updated files.
• Represent clients accused of violating terms of their supervision in parole proceedings.
• Aid the Public Defender in handling cases involving defense investigators and ensuring thorough investigations.
• Collaborate with office social work staff on behalf of clients in need of services.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 3% deferred compensation match, NYS retirement pension, employee wellness programming, and generous leave provided.

Special Note

An unlicensed law degree graduate awaiting bar exam/bar results for admission may be hired at a lower salary band and will move to the Associate Level salary band once they have successfully passed the bar.