ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER

Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Public Defender

Department Name: Public Defender

Starting Rate: Salary is commensurate with experience

The Dauphin County Public Defender's Office is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Assistant Public Defender . The individual in this position provides competent legal representation to a wide variety of criminal defendants. The Assistant Public Defender investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses and conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials; counsels clients; prepares and files motions, briefs, and other legal documents; visits jails and state correctional facilities if client is detained; represents client at pre-trial hearings/conferences, other proceedings, arraignments, jury and non-jury trials, sentencing and post-conviction hearings; prepares post-trial motions, briefs and arguments for appeals to Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme Courts; conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials; negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney and interacts with other internal departments, police and external agencies. This is a non-Union position.

The Assistant Public Defender is responsible for but not limited to performing the following essential functions:


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:
1. Investigates assigned cases, interviews and subpoenas witnesses and conducts research in preparation for pre-trial hearings and trials.
2. Counsels clients.
3. Prepares and files motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
4. Visits mental hospitals, jails and state correctional facilities if client is detained.
5. Represents client at pre-trial hearings/conferences, other proceedings, arraignments, jury and non-jury trials, sentencing and post-conviction hearings.
6. Prepares post-trial motions, briefs and arguments for appeals to Commonwealth, Superior, and Supreme Courts.
7. Conducts legal research in preparation of cases and trials.
8. Negotiates plea-bargains with District Attorney for clients.
9. Utilizes Dictaphone in drafting of letters and other legal correspondence and reports.
10. Interacts with other internal departments, police and external agencies and general public.

OTHER DUTIES OF JOB:
1. Attends staffing and training sessions.
2. Travels as necessary for trial preparations and to counsel with clients as necessary.
3. Performs other job-related duties as required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid driver's license is preferred.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

• Receives occasional instruction and little supervision from the Chief Public Defender or First Assistant Public Defender in regard to daily duties.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

• None; except in the absence of Chief or First Assistant Public Defender.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Works in limited workspace with adequate lighting, ventilation and temperatures.
2. Normal exposure to disruptions and stress.
3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.
4. Potential exposure to blood borne pathogens and/or communicable diseases.
5. Works in conditions of potential outbursts or aggressive behavior of clients.
6. Travels occasionally to obtain legal information for cases.
7. Works beyond normal hours or performs on-call work as needed.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITIONS:
1. Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.
2. Must be able to sit, stand for long periods, with intermittent walking, driving and occasional climbing stairs, twisting, stooping, grasping or reaching to carry out job duties.
3. Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hand; feet/legs; torso as necessary to carry out job duties.
4. Light work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with maximum weight of twenty pounds.
5. Must demonstrate emotional stability.
6. Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.
7. Must be able to move frequently throughout the workday.
8. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.
9. Must be able to work with clients who carry or may carry active hepatitis, HIV or other infectious diseases.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education, Experience, and Training Requirements:

A. EDUCATION/TRAINING:

• Juris Doctorate degree, licensed and admitted to Pennsylvania Bar or have taken Pennsylvania bar examination.

B. WORK EXPERIENCE:

• None required, but public defender internship or similar experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Must be able to speak and understand English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out essential job duties.
2. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Must possess initiative, creativity and problem-solving skills.
4. Must possess ability to function independently, have the ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers and others.
5. Must possess ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to client information and records.
6. Must possess the technical knowledge of operating personal computers.
7. Must possess a valid Pennsylvania Driver's License and a willingness to travel as needed to complete job duties.
8. Must possess knowledge and ability to effectively and adequately represent a variety of clients in various criminal and civil cases.
9. Must possess ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations and precedents and procedures.
10. Must possess ability to set forth finding of facts and conclusions in written, legal form.
11. Must possess ability to analyze facts, evidence and precedents and arrive at logical interpretation.
12. Must possess ability to effectively coordinate individual cases and also interact with other staff members.

Dauphin County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive workplace free of discrimination and harassment. Dauphin County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.