Chief Public Defender

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Job location
701 Main Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Berrien County Public Defender's Office
Street address: 
701 Main Street
City: 
St. Joseph
State: 
Michigan
ZIP: 
49085
Job type: 
Legal - Defender
Position Description: 

Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the activities of all three facets of ID are in compliance with the constitutional and statutory requirements regarding the defense of indigent clients. Develop necessary policies and procedures to attain and maintain standards of indigent defense as they are proposed by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) and approved by the Michigan Supreme Court. Utilize county resources efficiently and effectively to provide a high level of indigent defense services. Ensure legal representation of each client continues in other courts, legal proceedings arising from the same case, and programs as requested by the court, and that each individual attorney, once assigned, continues to represent each client through the completion of the proceedings in the court unless a reassignment is necessary. Verify that each contracted attorney maintains adequate professional liability insurance and that the county and the court are held harmless from liability arising from their representation of a client. Attend court proceedings to monitor attorneys’ court performance and their participation in continuing legal education (CLE) events. Monitor performance of all adult and juvenile indigent defense contracts, whether these contracts are entered into with firms or individual ID attorneys. Supervise and direct the activities of all Public Defender Office staff. Advise the county administrator of violations of contract provisions and makes recommendations on how to remedy compliance issues. Advise the county administrator of recurring requests for waivers from contract requirements. Develop and implement internal caseload management reporting to certify Supreme Court/SCAO standards are met. Manage department budget. Provide updates to the Board of Commissioners and Parent Committee as required. The duties stated are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person so classified and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

Requirements: 

Juris Doctor degree with a Certificate of Admittance to the State Bar of Michigan as evidence of continued good professional standing and authority to practice law throughout the state. Bachelor’s degree in business management or a related field preferred. A minimum of ten years of experience in the practice of criminal defense or equivalent, including a minimum of five years of progressively more responsible experience in the administration of legal services. Applications must be received by the Personnel Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

Special Requirements: A valid vehicle operator’s license; regular, reliable and predictable attendance; comfortable with the daily use of technology in the legal profession; able to perform without additional clerical support, if necessary. A criminal and/or a financial background check may be required. Must maintain State Bar of Michigan Certificate of Admittance throughout employment with Berrien County at the county’s expense. May not practice law in the State of Michigan for any other client except the Berrien County Board of Commissioners; serve as an advisor or consultant on legal matters to any other entity, public or private, or be a party to any indigent defense contract.

To apply: 

Applications for the following vacancies will be received at the Personnel Department Berrien County Administration Center, 701 Main Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Download an application from the Berrien County website.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary range: 
$89,420 - $119,832
Submission deadline: 
Wednesday, October 31, 2018