Public Defender 2 - Davenport Office

About the role

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office seeks a Public Defender 2 to serve in their Davenport office in Scott County, Iowa. The mission is to provide high-quality legal representation to indigent individuals.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every stage of the criminal justice system.
• Receive training and mentoring from experienced public defenders.
• Represent clients in court at pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trials, and other court hearings.
• Prepare a defense, conduct legal research, gather facts, and interview clients and witnesses.
• Conduct pretrial discovery, including depositions, withdraw pleas, and suppression motions.
• Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys.
• Work closely with clients, providing and discussing information, planning case strategy, and preparing for trial.
• Maintain appropriate communication with clients about case status and answer client questions.
• Identify potential legal issues, research applicable law, and draft appropriate motions and briefs.
• Prepare various legal documents, including written arraignments, written guilty pleas, motions, briefs, and letters.
• May direct work of investigators consistent with internal office policies.
• Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports to the court, and close files consistent with office policies.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school and current license to practice law in the State of Iowa.
• Experience equal to two years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Public Defender 1.

Qualifications

Must be a U.S. citizen and able to pass a background check.

Skills

• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Knowledge of Iowa criminal law and procedures.

Benefits

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Robust benefits, including health, dental, life, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Employee Assistance Program for support when needed.
• Employee Discount Programs from various vendors.

Pay

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time position with flexible working hours to accommodate the needs of the caseload.