Assistant Public Defender Juvenile

About the role

The Deputy Public Defender provides criminal defense to indigent defendants in the courts of Allen County, Indiana, under the direction of the Chief Public Defender. This position is covered under the Circuit Court Employee Handbook and is an employee-at-will position.

Responsibilities

• Works directly with defendant and maintains regular contact through correspondence, phone calls, and in-person meetings, upholding ethical duties of loyalty and confidentiality.
• Represents defendants during criminal investigative proceedings.
• Represents defendants in all court appearances, including pretrial discovery, withdraw pleas, and suppression notices.
• Works with support staff to provide effective and high-quality legal representation to accused indigent people facing felony or misdemeanor charges, juvenile adjudication, and mental health commitments.
• Attends post-trial sentencing hearings for clients who negotiate plea bargains or are found guilty in trial.
• Files appeals when errors are found in court proceedings which prevented the defendant from having a fair trial.

Requirements

• Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law
• Valid Indiana license to practice law
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and a large volume of work
• Minimum of two years of experience in criminal litigation
• Prior experience as lead or co-counsel in no fewer than two felony jury trials that went to verdict or one felony jury trial and one Indiana Public Defender Commission approved trial practice course

Performance Expectations

The Deputy Public Defender performs work that consists of many complex and significant variables when providing criminal defense to indigent defendants. Extensive judgement and adaptation are required to provide effective and high quality legal representation.

Supervision

The Deputy Public Defender works with little to no supervision and is responsible for providing effective and high quality legal representation to all assigned defendants.

Personal Work Relationships

The Deputy Public Defender maintains frequent communication with defendants, judges, prosecutors, probation, law enforcement, investigators, and Public Defender office staff.

Working Conditions

The Deputy Public Defender performs work in a courtroom and office type setting. Very frequent typing, attention to detail, detailed inspection, and transcription/proofreading exist.

Licensing

A valid Indiana license to practice law is required.

Immediate Supervisor

The Chief Public Defender is the immediate supervisor.

Hours

Hours vary; 37.5 hours.

EEO Information

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). Accordingly, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, disability or medical condition, national origin, and veteran status, and all other categories protected by federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Reasonable accommodations for persons with a known disabling condition will be considered in accordance with State and Federal Law.