Public Defender Investigator I

Typical Tasks

• Investigates financial eligibility of applicants for Public Defender assistance
• Locates and interviews witnesses
• Assembles physical and documentary evidence
• Inspects the scene of the alleged crime in order to locate, identify, assemble, preserve, evaluate and record evidence
• Interviews indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender for detailed information relative to requested investigation
• Acts as liaison with and secures cooperation of Federal, State and local agencies and other sources of corroborative evidence and testimony
• Uses special equipment such as sound intercepting and recording devices and photographic equipment
• Subpoenas witnesses and physical evidence
• Calls for courtesy investigations requested by other Public Defender agencies
• Develops sources of information
• Assists the Public Defender and his/her deputies in the preparation of cases for defense
• Appears in court to testify as witness
• Dicts correspondence and reports
• Performs related work as required

Employment Standards

• Training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited junior college, preferably supplemented by courses in criminology and criminal investigation, and two (2) years of experience performing law enforcement or criminal investigation work.
• Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Penology, Administration of Justice or a closely related field such as Sociology, Psychology or Journalism, supplemented by courses in Administration of Justice.
• Possession of a Bachelor's degree in any field and one (1) year of experience comparable to an Investigator Assistant with the County of Santa Clara.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment.