State Public Defender

Definition/Summary of Duties

The State Public Defender is responsible for the supervision and administration of the statewide system of public defense. They oversee the Chief District Public Defenders and Chief Appellate Defender, develop and implement policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives, and ensure compliance with standards adopted by the State Board of Public Defense.

Responsibilities

• Establishes standards for the offices of the appellate and district public defenders, including qualifications, training, and staff size.
• Manages and evaluates the performance of senior and Chief Public Defenders.
• Serves as a liaison with courts, court administration, and the legislature.
• Oversees statewide training programs for employee development.
• Responds to public inquiries about the activities of the District and Appellate Offices.
• Works with the Chief District Public Defenders, Administrative Services Office, and Chief Administrator on policy issues and activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal and policy issues affecting public defenders and their clients.
• Knowledge of management and operations of public defense programs.
• Knowledge of legislative processes affecting criminal and juvenile law.
• Skills in representing indigent adult and juvenile defendants.
• Skills in training attorneys in criminal and juvenile defense.
• Skills in public speaking and media relations.
• Skills in governmental agency management.

Education and Experience

• Admission to the Minnesota state bar.
• Seven to ten years of experience practicing in the area of criminal law.
• Five years of administrative experience, including budget management, employee and labor relations, and contract management.

Benefits

• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Basic Life insurance.
• Retirement Savings.
• Paid holidays.
• Vacation and sick time.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional Benefits.

Required Questions

• What makes you a strong candidate for the position of State Public Defender?
• Describe any experience you have working with other agencies (probation, prosecutor, law enforcement, court administration) in the development and implementation of policy, procedures and practices.
• Describe your knowledge of the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
• Describe your experience working with co-counsel/defense team.
• Describe your experience with interviewing another person to obtain information.
• Describe your familiarity with the juvenile and criminal justice systems, and any experience you have with the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
• Describe the experience you have working with clients with a psychological, psychiatric and chemical dependency diagnosis.
• Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics or unprofessional conduct by any court administrative agency, bar association, or other professional group? If so, please provide additional details.
• List any legal or civic honors, prizes, or awards you have received.
• Describe your experience supervising employees, including the number of staff you supervised.
• Describe your work with budgets, accounts payable, payroll.