Public Defender 2 - Wrongful Convictions

About the role

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office seeks a Public Defender 2 to serve in their Wrongful Convictions Unit in Polk County, Iowa. The role involves advocating for indigent clients, representing them in court, and working closely with clients to provide legal representation.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every state of the criminal justice system.
• Receive training and mentoring from dedicated, experienced public defenders.
• Represent clients in court at pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trial sentencings, and other court hearings.
• Prepare a defense, conduct legal research, gather facts, and interview the client and witnesses.
• Conduct pretrial discovery, including depositions, withdraw pleas, and suppression motions.
• Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other disposition 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 answering client questions.
• Identify potential legal issues to advance client's case, 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, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa, and 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

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa, and 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.

Skills

Strong legal research and writing skills, ability to manage multiple cases, and effective communication are essential.

Benefits

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

• Robust benefits, including excellent 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.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more).

Pay

Details on pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Details on schedule are not specified in the job posting.