Deputy Public Defender I/II/III/IV/V - Extra-Help Deputy Public Defender I/II/III/IV/V

This recruitment establishes a current eligible list for both full-time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help employees are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. The Extra-Help pay rate ranges from $38.35 to $74.27 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Act as defense counsel in criminal cases.
• Interview and advise defendants and witnesses.
• Interpret and apply laws, court decisions, etc., in the preparation of cases and briefs.
• Prepare pleadings and other legal documents for suits, trials, hearings, conservatorships, and other legal proceedings.
• Perform legal research and investigations.
• Examine evidence and prepare and present the case for the defense in assigned criminal actions.
• Perform administrative duties for the Public Defender, including dictating correspondence and reports.
• Assist the Chief Deputy Defender and the Public Defender as needed.
• At Level V: Lead, provide mentorship, and direction to other attorneys; may assist in training other professional staff.
• At Level V: Demonstrate necessary proficiency, diligence, and quality of representation appropriate for capital cases.

Requirements

• Active membership in the State Bar of California at the time of appointment.
• Possess a valid California driver’s license at the time of appointment and maintain it.

Experience

• Level I: None.
• Level II: One (1) year of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
• Level III: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
• Level IV: Two (2) years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender III in Merced County or four (4) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
• Level V: Two (2) years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender IV with Merced County or six (6) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.

Essential Functions

• Frequent walking and standing for long periods; kneeling, bending, twisting, squatting, balancing, and crawling.
• Frequent use of a data entry device, including repetitive hand and arm motions.
• Frequent lifting of 5 pounds or less; occasional lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision, and color perception; good overall vision.
• Frequent hearing of normal speech and talking in person and on the telephone.
• Frequent concentration, decision-making, and public contact; conducting presentations.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, pulling, twisting, and manipulating large and small objects.
• Occasional exposure to emergency situations, trauma, or grief; occasional working alone and traveling.
• Occasional contact with dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation, and indoor/outdoor cold and heat.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; normal dexterity, frequent holding, and grasping.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures, and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge

• Practice of criminal law, including pertinent constitutional principles, legal codes, statutes, and court decisions necessary to providing effective defense.
• Legal research methods.
• Trial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Duties, powers, limitations, and responsibilities of the Public Defender’s office.
• Legal procedures and documents used in court cases.
• Ethical and professional rules of conduct.
• At Level V: Capital case defense.
• At Level V: Use of expert witnesses and evidence, including psychiatric and forensic evidence.

Skills

• Develop facts and legal issues and present clear and logical legal arguments and statements in the defense of indigent clients.
• Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal defense problems.
• Draft legal instruments and opinions.
• Investigate and defend criminal complaints.
• Perform difficult legal research.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others of differing socio-economic backgrounds.
• Effectively represent Public Defender functions in contact with the courts, citizens, community organizations, and other government agencies.
• Present statements of fact, law, and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• At Level V: Effectively lead, mentor, and train attorneys and professional staff.

Pay

Extra-Help pay rate: $38.35 to $74.27 per hour.

Schedule

Extra-Help employees are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week.

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