Assistant Public Defender (Full Time)

General Purpose

The Assistant Full-Time Public Defender represents indigent clients throughout critical stages of criminal proceedings at the County and municipal levels. Work includes but is not limited to preparing and filing motions and briefs, handling preliminary hearings, summary trials, violation hearings, bail matters, appeals and jury and non-jury trials at the Court of Common Pleas.

Supervision Received

This position reports directly to the Chief Public Defender.

Supervision Exercised

This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.

Essential Duties of the Position

• Receives criminal case assignments from supervisory legal or other office staff.
• Determines issues to be raised, communicates with the client and determines the case strategy.
• Represents defendants at pre-trial hearings, prepares motions and conducts legal research.
• Interviews involved individuals and collaborates with investigators.
• Prepares and handles bail petitions, motions for pretrial discovery, omnibus pretrial motions and prepares responses to opposing petitions.
• Assembles records and completes case development.
• Prepares and submits lists of witnesses to be subpoenaed for trial.
• Confers with and negotiates settlements with opposing lawyers.
• Congrates with County probation and other County departments.
• Develops arguments for sentencing, including gathering information about employment, education, addictive behaviors and other points that may mitigate the sentencing process.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education & Experience:
  • The candidate must possess a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and must be licensed to practice law in the State of Pennsylvania, and be a member in good-standing.
  • Employees assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • The candidate must possess working knowledge of Federal, State and local statutes, case law, rules of evidence and practices governing and/or affecting criminal law.
  • The candidate must possess strong legal research and analytical skills.
  • The candidate must possess superior time-management skills and the ability to multitask.
  • The candidate must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, clients, representatives of judicial and other government agencies and members of the bar and the judiciary.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • The candidate must have a telephone and personal computer.
  • The candidate will have access to the fax machine, copy machine, office computer and paper shredder maintained at the Office of the Public Defender.
• Physical Demands:
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Work Environment:
  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

Selection Guidelines

• Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.
• The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Federal Labor Standards Act Status

FLSA EXEMPT (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)

Designation

EXEMPT SERVICE

PAY GRADE

CE/GROUP IV

Union Status

NON-UNION