Public Defender 3 - Felony (Probation Violation Unit) (10106558)

About the role

The Public Defender 3 - Felony (Probation Violation Unit) position at the Law Offices of the Public Defender involves providing professional legal services for juvenile and adult indigent clients in areas of litigation, appeal, counsel, research, and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in all misdemeanors or juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to lower-level attorneys and law clerks.
• Work under the direction and guidance of higher-level attorneys and/or managing attorney.
• Conduct plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Attend seminars, training classes, and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• 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 necessary appeals.
• Analyze probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge derived from investigation and case law to determine whether a client should enter into a plea or go to trial.
• Interview clients and trial counsel, review the record, and research to support arguments that errors have been made by the lower courts in the Appellate Division.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current licensure as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for a limited license issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court and one (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.

Employment Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Benefits

• The Law Offices of the Public Defender offers a retirement plan and a medical program for retirees.
• The State's General Services Department Risk Management Division, Employee Benefits Bureau (EBB), is responsible for the procurement and oversight of employee benefits, including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance.
• Erisa Administrative Services, Inc. (Erisa) is the State's Third Party Administrator, providing benefits administration to all plan participants and offering knowledgeable staff to answer questions.

Pay

• This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $0.76 hourly / $1,580.80 annually.