Assistant Public Defender

Job Description

Job Purpose or Objective(s): You will defend all indigent clients in felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases that are punishable by incarceration in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma District Court. You will report to the Public Defender Director.

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Primary Tasks:

1. You will manage caseloads, which includes interviewing and advising clients of their legal rights and obligations. Interviewing witnesses and potential witnesses, including police officers and expert witnesses.

2. Prepare cases, appear in Tribal Court, and represent clients charged with Tribal offenses at Tribal Court hearing, preliminary hearings, bench trials, and jury trials.

3. Argue special actions and appeals.

4. Recommend additional legislation necessary to upgrade the Office of Public Defender or to improve the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma justice system.

5. Review assignment of indigency status to identify clients who have available resources, collecting costs of representation when possible.

6. Perform responsibilities according to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma law.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate from accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law by a State within the United States
• Experience with criminal, juvenile, and/or deprived case procedures.
• Application of professional knowledge and ability by possessing strong judgment and evaluation skills
• Jury trial experience in felony, misdemeanor and/or deprived custody cases
• Willingness to understand, learn and appreciate Choctaw culture and tradition and cultural differences of clients.
• Five [5] years of criminal defense experience in state, federal, and/or tribal court

Responsibilities

1. You will manage caseloads, which includes interviewing and advising clients of their legal rights and obligations. Interviewing witnesses and potential witnesses, including police officers and expert witnesses.2. Prepare cases, appear in Tribal Court, and represent clients charged with Tribal offenses at Tribal Court hearing, preliminary hearings, bench trials, and jury trials.3. Argue special actions and appeals.4. Recommend additional legislation necessary to upgrade the Office of Public Defender or to improve the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma justice system.5. Review assignment of indigency status to identify clients who have available resources, collecting costs of representation when possible.6. Perform responsibilities according to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma law.

Qualifications

Juris Doctorate from accredited law schoolLicensed to practice law by a State within the United StatesExperience with criminal, juvenile, and/or deprived case procedures.Application of professional knowledge and ability by possessing strong judgment and evaluation skillsJury trial experience in felony, misdemeanor and/or deprived custody casesWillingness to understand, learn and appreciate Choctaw culture and tradition and cultural differences of clients.Five [5] years of criminal defense experience in state, federal, and/or tribal court

About Us

About the Choctaw Nation

The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian nation in the United States, with over 200,000 tribal members and more than 11,000 employees. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, historic boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation's vision, "Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family and culture," is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity.

Benefits

• Free gym membership
• Free access to employee health clinic
• Free lunch for casino & resort associates
• Earned wages access once per week for hourly Associates
• Pet insurance
• Paid vacation / sick time
• Medical / Dental / Vision
• 401(K) with company match
• College tuition reimbursement
• Short-term disability, long-term disability, and family leave
• Employee assistance program
• Employee prescription program
• CNO Paid Life Insurance
• Teladoc
• On Site Dental Clinics (Jet Dental)
• On Site Mammogram Services
• Free diabetes and hypertension monitoring benefit (Livongo)
• Accolade- Concierge Benefits Program
• Wellness Program that equals savings on health insurance cost (Virgin Pulse)
• Maternity Care Program
• (Benefits provided by the Choctaw Nation are based on employment classification)

CNO was selected as a winner in both HRDUS' and Forbes' 2022 "Employer of Choice" competitions:

• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma received recognition as one of six Best Places to Work in the United States as selected by HRDUS
• Choctaw Casinos & Resorts received recognition from Forbes as a Best Employer for Diversity in the Travel & Leisure category.
• Forbes also recognized the Choctaw Casino and Resorts as one of America's Best Employers for New Graduates.

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