Assistant Public Defender I ($53,001 -$71.027)
Duties: Provides court appointed indigent defense services within Berrien County Courts. Carries a full caseload as determined by the Chief Public Defender. Attends legal and community meetings as directed. Reviews charging instruments, police reports and other discovery provided by the Prosecution. Promptly meets with clients and learns the client’s goals for the representation and any special needs of the client. Determines what further fact investigation to undertake and directs that investigation, including the identification, consultation and hiring of applicable experts as approved by the Chief Public Defender or designee. Determines what legal issues need development, researches those issues, and presents them in the appropriate forum. Negotiates with the Prosecution and promptly advises the client of the status of those negotiations. Litigates any legal issues that are necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial. Conducts any post-trial litigation necessary such as sentencing and post-trial motions (excluding appeals). Maintains availability to other staff members for consultation and education; participates in training programs; maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions. Maintains accurate, complete and legible case files. Performs duty attorney functions as assigned. Completes special projects and other duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender or designee.
Note: The successful candidate will model the following attributes: Ability to deal effectively with people of widely divergent backgrounds, within and outside the office, and to relate empathetically to clients and their special needs. Exercise common sense and good judgment. Learn quickly and function efficiently under stressful and distracting conditions; ability to multi-talk. Accept direction and follow office policies and procedures. Work independently as well as cooperatively in a legal services team atmosphere.
Required: Graduation from an accredited law school and must be a member of the Michigan State Bar in good standing. No prior experience is required; however, at least one year of criminal defense experience or comparable civil legal service is desired. Ability to operate technology to search, update, correct and retrieve information. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with a variety of people from divergent backgrounds. Ability to operate typical office equipment such as phones, computer, fax, calculator, printer, copier, scanner, digital video and digital cameras. Must successfully pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen. Must maintain regular, reliable and predictable attendance. Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle in order to access clients and witnesses in correctional facilities. Utilize services of interpreters as necessary to communicate with clients, witnesses and other persons related to the case. Maintain confidentiality with highly sensitive information.
Send Resume, cover letter, and a recent writing sample, and the county application to the Personnel Department. Application can be found at:http://www.berriencounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/695/Application-for-Emp...