Public Defender 3 - Special Defense Unit

Responsibilities

• Perform professional legal work related to the representation of indigent clients in upper-level felony criminal cases and the civil commitment of sexually violent predators in petitions pursuant to Iowa Code 229A, as well as appeals to the Iowa Supreme Court as appropriate in the 229A civil commitment cases.
• Representation is state-wide in counties where there is no local Public Defender or the local public defender is unable to take the criminal case.
• Participate in the investigation and preparation of a defense for offenders in criminal and 229A cases to obtain facts in determining the merits of cases and appropriate courses of action.
• Prepares drafts of pleadings, motions, interrogations, supporting affidavits, letters, opinions, and briefs.
• Advocates the most complex cases at every stage of the criminal and civil justice system through resolution in the pre-trial process, plea bargaining process, trial, verdict, and sentencing by: providing legal counsel and advice; interviewing and selecting appropriate witnesses, preparing them to give testimony; and conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses.
• Negotiates plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys or other interested parties.
• Pursues prosecution or defense of appeals to the Iowa Supreme Court of chapter 229A civil commitment cases.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa, and experience equal to five years of full time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes three years of fulltime work as a Public Defender 2.

Qualifications

Not specified.

Skills

Not specified.

Benefits

Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
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).

Pay

Not specified.

Schedule

Not specified.