Criminal Defense Attorney (3341)

About the role

Provide professional legal services for the Law Offices of the Public Defender in representing juvenile and adult indigent clients in litigation, appeal, counsel, research, and analysis. The incumbent will be classified as Public Defender 2 (PD2), Public Defender 3 (PD3), or Public Defender 4 (PD4) based on qualifications and agency need at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Public Defender 2 (PD2):
  • Handle a variety of misdemeanors and assist in juvenile and youthful offender cases.
  • Assist higher-level attorneys with complex cases under supervision.
  • Conduct plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties.
  • Attend seminars, training, and review professional literature to maintain and develop skills.
  • Draft, review, propose, and prepare reports and legal documents.
• Public Defender 3 (PD3):
  • Represent clients in misdemeanors, juvenile cases, and low-to-medium-level felonies with limited supervision.
  • Provide guidance and mentoring to lower-level attorneys and law clerks.
  • Conduct plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties.
  • Attend seminars, training, and review professional literature to maintain and develop skills.
  • Draft, review, propose, and prepare reports and legal documents.
• Public Defender 4 (PD4):
  • Handle felony cases (e.g., burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes, probation violations) with limited supervision.
  • Manage more complex felonies with guidance from higher-level attorneys.
  • Prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.
  • Provide guidance and advice to lower-level attorneys.
  • Work independently to resolve complex caseload issues.
  • Attend seminars, training, and review professional literature to maintain and develop skills.
  • Draft, review, propose, and prepare reports and legal documents.
• Perform related and other duties as assigned.

Note: Duties may change at any time with or without notice. Employees may be required to perform duties at any classification level (PD2–PD4) without additional compensation and must demonstrate competence across all levels.

Requirements

• Public Defender 2 (PD2):
  • Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligibility for a limited license issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court.
• Public Defender 3 (PD3):
  • Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligibility for a limited license issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court.
  • One (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Public Defender 4 (PD4):
  • Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligibility for a limited license issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court.
  • Four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney.