Public Defender 2 - Wrongful Convictions

About the role

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office seeks a Public Defender 2 to serve in the Wrongful Convictions Unit in Polk County, Iowa. The mission of the Office is to provide high-quality legal representation to indigent individuals in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings.

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 information, planning case strategy, and preparing for trial.
• Maintain communication with clients about case status and answer their questions.
• Identify potential legal issues, research applicable law, and draft motions and briefs.
• Prepare various legal documents, such as 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 according to office policies.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school and possession of a 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

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, effective communication, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are essential.

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.
• Retailers' Club (employer-sponsored retirement plan).
• Employee assistance program.
• Discount programs from various vendors.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

This is a full-time position with a standard work schedule.

Contact Information

To apply, please visit our website and submit your resume and cover letter. For additional information, contact [Contact Information].