Assistant Public Defender

Assistant Public Defender (NS) The Office of the Public Defender, District 13, is seeking multiple, qualified individuals to serve as an Assistant Public Defender. The selected candidate will represent indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in District and Superior Court. This position, specifically, is to help handle high level felony cases in Johnston County. Come join the District 13 Public Defender's Office as an Assistant Public Defender and experience all that Johnston County has to offer! As one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina, Johnston County is uniquely situated at the crossroads of Interstate 40 and Interstate 95 allowing one to be at the beach in 2 hours or in the mountains in 4.5 hours. Johnston County has historically been known as a rural county, but the changing landscape is bringing in local breweries and award-winning restaurants. The county seat of Johnston County, Smithfield, is only a 30-minute drive to the State Capital of Raleigh, where one can enjoy all the perks of city living, including museums, designer shopping districts and an international airport! All Assistant Public Defenders must be capable of handling difficult cases and clients, while maintaining positive professional relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public. Attorneys are expected to visit clients at the jail and in prison facilities. As public service employees, it is strongly encouraged that all Assistant Public Defenders engage in community service projects and participate in outreach programs relevant to the services we are providing. This office opened in July 2024, is centrally located within the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield. We are looking for hard working, self-initiating attorneys willing to not only zealously advocate for their clients but with a client-centered, holistic approach to advocacy in mind. This position will include CLE opportunities, an annual Public Defender Conference, access to a variety of trainings, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and access to expert forensic resources to support you with the work you will do to defend indigent clients. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies: Knowledge of federal, state, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; and legal research methods. Skills in strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organization. Ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina. Also seeking experienced attorneys with at least 1 year of criminal law experience and has tried at least 1 jury trial to verdict.