You will serve as an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Washington County Office of our Trial Services Division. The Washington County Office is a trial-level office that provides criminal defense representation to clients facing charges in that county who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. You will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and/or felony criminal charges. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation.
You will be successful if you thrive in a close-knit team environment and are interested in trial-level work, as well as providing client service in a fast-paced work setting. Eagerness to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and provide high-quality representation will serve you well.
Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to:
Prepare cases for trial
Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel
Represent clients in community control violations
Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
Examine witnesses
Present legal arguments and evidence
The following are the minimum qualifications for this position:
Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.
Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases.
Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02.