Public Defender 3 (10103600)-Las Cruces, NM

About the Role

This position provides professional legal services for the Law Offices of the Public Defender, representing juvenile and adult indigent clients in litigation, appeal, counsel, research, and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in all misdemeanors, juvenile cases, and low to medium-level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to lower-level attorneys and law clerks.
• Conduct plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to resolve cases.
• Attend seminars, training classes, and review professional literature to maintain and develop skills.
• Draft, review, propose, and prepare reports and legal documents.
• Meet with clients, file and argue motions, investigate cases, interview witnesses, proceed to trial, and file appeals.
• Analyze probable case outcomes using investigation and case law to advise clients on pleas or trials.
• For Appellate Division attorneys: interview clients and trial counsel, review records, and research to support arguments of lower court errors.
• Perform related duties as assigned; responsibilities may change without notice.

An employee in this role may be required to perform duties at a PD3 level or lower without additional compensation and must demonstrate competence in levels PD2 through PD3.