Deputy Public Defender - Trial Division

Essential Job Functions

• Litigation of trials, appeals, and collateral review actions.
• Assigns and prioritizes caseload demands.
• Investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses and conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials.
• Participates in selection and training of Assistant Public Defenders.
• Represents defendant in criminal actions from preliminary hearings through jury trial and final appeal.
• Prepares post-trial motions, prepares and writes briefs, memos, appeals, and presents oral arguments to courts.
• Conducts preliminary attorney conferences.
• Interacts with other internal departments, police and external agencies and general public.
• Performs duties of the Chief Public Defender in the absence of the Chief Public Defender and First Assistant Public Defender.
• Visits mental hospitals, jails and state correctional facilities if client is detained.
• Conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials.
• Negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney for clients.
• Utilizes computer for docketing, drafting letters and other legal correspondence or reports.

Other Duties

• Attends staffing and training sessions.
• Advises public groups of the functions of the office.
• Travels as necessary for trial preparations.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.