Under the direction of the County Administrator, the Public Defender serves as the responsible attorney of record of all indigent or partially indigent adult criminal cases, as the first choice for appointment by the courts to provide competent, constitutionally mandated legal representations, as counter-part to all prosecution components within the judicial system.
This is a full-time, benefited position that requires frequent travel throughout the County and State. Please note: The position will be posted until filled. The hiring committee will begin reviewing applications and selecting candidates on September 11, 2018. The start date of the position is contingent on the implementation of funding.
Essential Job Functions:
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Develops and implements long and short term goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the department to include in particular the establishment and direction of programs to maximize operational effectiveness and cost efficiencies.
Reviews and supervises the review of criminal investigations to determine adequacy of evidence to justify searches, seizures and the authorization of charges by the prosecution.
Directs assistant public defender attorneys in gathering and analyzing case evidence, preparing arguments, filing necessary documents, and presenting cases in court; assigns cases to assistants, reviews progress, and provides technical assistance and guidance.
Develops and implements programs to assess, meet or exceed mandated standards adopted as a requirement by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC), American Bar Association (ABA), and the State Bar of Michigan (SBM) for competent legal defense services.
Plans, organizes, assigns, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of attorneys and support staff.
Selects staff personnel and provides for their training and professional development; interprets laws and regulations and County policies to subordinates.
Confers with departmental staff to monitor activities, coordinate work effort and resolve problems and issues unique to the attorney staff.
Provides professional assistance to staff, other County departments and public and private organizations in areas of legal expertise to include meetings with appointed and elected governmental officials, civic leaders and others.
Monitors legal developments, including legislation and court decisions which may impact the work of the Department; ensure that legal staff is kept up to date on such developments.
Directs the preparation and administration of the department's budget and monitors expenditures to ensure that they are within budget guidelines. Develops performance measures and drafts and presents the department's annual report.
Regularly meets with attorneys to review activities, coordinate work effort, discuss and resolve problems, and assure adherence to department goals, objectives, and policies.
Directs the maintenance of accurate legal records and files; prepare or direct the preparation of briefs, legal materials, reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Substitutes for attorneys as necessary and/or personally handle complex, sensitive or significant representation problems.
Approves pre-trial investigations, motions, polygraph examinations and expert witnesses while directing the defense of all criminal cases including in particular those that are most complex or sensitive criminal cases, to include appearance in court to substitute personally as needed.
Directs the representation of the defense in Friend of the Court cases related to child support.
Interacts productively with Sheriff's Department, State Police and other law enforcement agencies, courts, private attorneys and social agencies to ensure adequateness of criminal investigations and evidence to justify prosecutions.
Actively collaborates, cooperates, coordinates and/or directs programs designed to reduce recidivism through effective rehabilitation of convicted criminals.
Keeps informed of legal precedents and relevant legislation by reading professional journals and court rulings, conferring with legislators and attending meetings, seminars and conferences.
May speak before groups regarding the criminal justice system and the constitutionally mandated role of the defense.
Required Education, Training and Experience:
Possess an undergraduate Degree (with preferable courses in business management and/or criminal law) plus a Juris Doctor Degree with a Certificate of Admittance to the State Bar of Michigan and authority to practice law throughout the state; have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the practice of criminal law and at least five (5) years of progressively more responsible experience in the administrative supervision of legal services; authority to practice law in the State of Michigan and admittance to practice in front of federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court is desirable.
Must be licensed in good standing to drive a motor vehicle and possess a valid Michigan driver's license.
Additional Requirements and Information:
The qualified candidate will have the following knowledge and skills:
Knowledge, skills and experience in management/supervision, enlightened leadership, human relations, finance/budget, office administration, planning, organizing, communications (written and verbal);
Knowledge of public/media/labor relations, County-wide technology plans, County guiding principles, core competencies,
Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal law, particularly as related to the defense of clients, investigations, research, data analysis, report preparation techniques and computer applications related to the work;
Considerable ability to plan, organize and direct a high volume law firm that encompasses directing the work of others, providing for their training and professional development, interpreting, applying and explaining laws, policies and regulations, analyzing complex legal and administrative problems, evaluating alternatives and adopting sound courses of action.
Thorough working knowledge of Michigan Court Rules, American Bar Association, State Court Administrative office, and Michigan Indigent Defense Commission rules and requirements.
Thorough working knowledge of management and supervisory principles and practices.
Ability to interact positively and professionally with County, state and local unit officials, executives and administrators; employees, community and business representatives, and members of the general public with widely divergent socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and varying levels of communication skills and analytical knowledge and sophistication.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility. Work is generally performed in a normal office and court environment with travel throughout the County and State.
Apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/miottawa.