Assistant Public Defender

Job Title

Legal Services Provider

Employer

State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense

Salary

$88,380.00 - $158,500.00 Annually

Location

Thief River Falls, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

01938

Department

Ninth Judicial District

Division

Thief River Falls Office

Opening Date

06/04/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Application Requirements

Attach cover letter and resume. Under general supervision, performs work of routine difficulty in providing legal services to indigent defendants who have been charged with criminal offenses in district court, and to juveniles who are alleged to be delinquent in the juvenile court.

Definition/Summary of Duties

Examples of Duties:

• Prepares cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in district courts; in dependency, neglect or delinquency petitions in juvenile court;
• Interviews clients and prospective witnesses; prepares or oversees the drafting of briefs, memoranda, pleadings and other legal papers;
• Conducts or directs legal research;
• Represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, dispositions and other proceedings; interviews clients in custody and makes initial decisions concerning such things as bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial;
• Determines need for expert witnesses; locates appropriate experts and schedules them for trial if needed; negotiates with County and City Attorneys to reach plea agreements;
• Consults with social workers, probation officers, judges and referees in order to determine appropriate treatment programs for clients as a part of defense strategy; advises and directs work of law clerks;
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of criminal law and procedure
• Good knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research and investigation
• Good knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
• Good knowledge of the pleading and practice of effective presentation of court cases.

Skills:

• Good skills in conducting legal research and analysis of data
• Good skills in determining proper courses of action and presentation of facts and arguments.
• Basic computer skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments
• Ability to appraise and organize facts to present evidence and other material in written or oral form
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with prosecutors, judges, referees, and other professionals, as well as clients and the general public.

Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college of law and admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota or a person who has graduated from an accredited law school and is certified to practice under the Supreme Court Student Practice Rule.
• Individuals hired under the Student Practice Rule must pass the bar on their first attempt.
• Failure to pass the bar is grounds for dismissal.

Benefits

The State of Minnesota offers benefits through the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP). Benefits-eligible employees are entitled to the following insurance and pre-tax benefits:

Full time employee and part time employee benefits:

Medical insurance

Single coverage as low as $38.50 a month

Family coverage $262.66 a month

Dental insurance

Single coverage as low as $13.50 a month

Family coverage $55.40 a month

Basic Life insurance

6 week paid Parental Leave (eligible after 1 year of employment)

Retirement Savings

11 paid holidays

2 Floating holiday

Vacation and sick time along with leave of absence programs

Employee Assistance Program

These positions are eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness

Optional benefits:

Additional Life insurance for yourself, spouse and children

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

Short and long-term disability insurance

Metro Pass

Deferred Compensation plan

Pre-tax expense accounts: dependent care account, medical and dental, transit expense