Assistant Public Defender

Job Summary

The Public Defender provides indigent defense and legal services. They prepare, analyze, present, report, and communicate legal strategies, legal research, and advise clients on legal matters. They appear at all levels of trial court hearings, including arraignments, probable cause conferences, preliminary examinations, pre-trials, trials, sentencing, motions, and other assigned hearings.

Abilities, Knowledge, and Skills

• Customer Focus
• Teamwork
• Employee Engagement
• Process Focus
• Financial Resources
• Goal/Results Oriented
• Communication
• Leadership & Influence
• Decision Making & Judgement
• Analysis & Problem Solving
• Excellent oral and written communications

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures legal strategies are customized for client's needs and are well analyzed and effectively communicated to the clients.
• Prepare and present legal research and arguments to the courts ensuring sound arguments pursuant to law; Advises clients of their legal rights.
• Prepares and conducts investigations, properly interviewing clients, witnesses, and individuals related to a law violation or crime.
• Determines deficiencies by using legal, scientific, and technological knowledge. Ensures the department is always updating technical and legal knowledge.
• Captures and implements leadership strategies based on functions, positions, and performance.
• Effectively communicates with other departments of the organization to ensure that files are efficiently prepared and delivered on time on each scheduled court date.
• Analyzes, develops, and maintains approaches in order to have an effective recruitment process for the new Holistic Defense Partner positions.
• Trains, develops, makes work assignments, supervises, and evaluates intern/volunteer workforce.
• Litigates any legal issues that are necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial.
• Performs attorney functions as assigned.
• Ensures that procedures and manuals are documented and updated as necessary.
• Performs other administrative functions & projects as assigned.

Qualifications / Experience

• Graduate from an accredited law school and member in good standing of the Michigan Bar Association or pending bar results.
• This position is open to all levels of experience. Salary will be based on experience with an emphasis on experience in criminal cases.

Other Requirements

• Employment is dependent on background check, criminal history, and drug screen.
• Applicant must complete County application form.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct Reports: None.
• Delegation of Work: N/A
• Supervision Given: None.
• Reports to: This position reports to the Deputy Chief Public Defender.

Work Location and Physical Demands

• Work Environment: Professional office environment.
• Physical Demands: Regularly required to express oneself and exchange information both verbally and in writing. Frequent movement about the office environment; operate a computer and other office machinery; and move or transport files or other items to meetings and other office spaces. Sedentary role; some filing is required. Ability to open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.
• Travel: Travel to Van Buren County buildings for job duties may be required.

Other Duties

• Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Van Buren County.

Human Check

• I am an individual who served in the United States Armed Forces, including the reserve components and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
• I authorize the investigation of all statements, including references, in this application for employment as necessary for arriving at an employment decision. I also specifically waive any written notice requirements of Section 67 of 1978 PA 397 pertaining to disciplinary reports, letters of reprimand, or other disciplinary actions. I also waive any claim against VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT and all current or former employers arising from such investigation or disclosure, including, but not limited to, slander and libel that may result from furnishing any information to VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
• In the event of employment, I understand that false or misleading information given in my application or interview(s) would be grounds for discharge. I understand, also, that I am required to abide by all rules and regulations of VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
• If I am offered employment, a physical, which may include drug testing (at VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT’s expense) may be required, proof of educational and licensing attainment must be submitted. If any driving is done for VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT purposes, I must be both eligible to drive and be qualified for insurance coverage. Employment by VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT is conditioned upon such results being satisfactory to VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.