The Ohio Public Defender’s Office is recruiting for an Assistant Public Defender (APD). The APD will serve in the Trumbull County Office of our Trial Services Division. The Trumbull County Office provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney in the courts of Trumbull County. This APD position will primarily represent indigent trial-level juvenile clients in juvenile court delinquency cases and may also assist or provide representation to clients in the Municipal and Common Pleas courts as needed. Note: This position does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation.
The successful APD candidate will be passionate about juvenile advocacy and its impact on the future of an individual's life. They will thrive in a close-knit environment and be interested in trial-level work and providing client service in a meaningful way. A successful candidate will also be eager to work with their supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and succeed in providing high-quality representation and achieving desirable outcomes for juvenile clients.
Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to:
• Prepare cases for trial
• Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
• Examine witnesses
• Present legal arguments and evidence
• Liaison with community programs for alternative case resolutions
• Explain legal concepts to juvenile clients in an accessible way
The qualified applicant will have demonstrated knowledge of:
• Substantive and procedural criminal law, with a focus on juvenile law
• The unique approach of working with youth
• The rules of evidence
• Constitutional law applicable to criminal litigation
• Issues pertaining to trying a criminal case before a jury
Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01. 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.