Attorney 3

Attorney 3

The Oconee Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office is seeking to hire an Assistant Public Defender 3. The Circuit serves Dodge, Pulaski, Bleckley, Telfair, Wheeler, and Montgomery Counties. This position may be performed as a lead attorney, assigned to serious, high-profile, and significant felony cases. Applicants must meet the qualifications and have the necessary skills to perform the job duties and responsibilities for the position, including preparing cases for trial, zealously advocating and defending their client, seeking and negotiating plea depositions, and entering pleas in the felony cases in Superior Court. This role requires strong advocacy skills, sound legal judgment, and a commitment to public defense. Applicants must be a current member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia or admittance pending.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned co-workers.
• Represents clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary and pretrial hearings, probation and sentencing, post-adjudication/post-conviction hearings, appeals, or any related courtroom proceedings: negotiates at all stages on behalf of the client; prepares and argues motions; conducts jury selection, makes opening and closing statements, presents evidence, and questions witnesses; and makes appropriate objections and arguments.
• Attends scheduled court appearances; creates new case files, inputs, and records case-related data and notes, logs case activities, and closes files; receives and reviews calendars; and coordinates with court administration, clients, witnesses, experts, and others.
• Reviews discovery; interviews clients in and out of custody; requests and inspects records and evidence; review criminal histories; prepares graphics and exhibits; explore alternative explanations for the alleged incident; follows up on defense leads; identifies and interviews witnesses and alibis; observes crime scenes; subpoenas witnesses and prepares them for trial; prepares clients for trial; determines the need for, procures, and interviews expert witnesses; assesses the need for psychological/psychiatric evaluation of client; anticipates legal issues; develops defense theory and case strategies.
• Receives and reviews various documentation, including police reports, witness statements, laboratory reports, criminal histories, defense motions, and case law updates; reviews, completes, processes, forwards, or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including a variety of motions, orders, letters, notices, petitions, legal briefs, trial summaries, and departmental reports; compiles data for further processing or use in the preparation of department reports, and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
• Secures mitigating evidence for sentencing or restitution; reviews court orders and case plans; files related requests, motions, and appeals; advocates for the client; and secures additional client services.
• Argues mitigating evidence; negotiates resolutions with assistant district attorneys; and advises clients regarding the acceptance or rejection of plea offers.
• Researches relevant case law and interprets in relation to the facts of the case; researches the terms, procedures, or science used in other fields that may be relevant to a case; prepares briefs and motions and responses to same; writes case summaries; drafts jury charges; and makes trial notes.
• Develops trusting and supportive attorney-client relationship; explains and advises clients regarding their rights, the investigative and judicial process, and the advisability of alternative courses of action; provides updates regarding case status.
• Attends conferences, seminars, meetings, and training events relevant to the area of expertise; keeps abreast of legal changes and participates in professional organizations.
• Communicates with prosecuting attorneys, judges, investigators, legal support staff, witnesses, experts, translators, client friends and family, probation officers, supervisor, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review the status of work, present or exchange information, provide legal counsel and interpretation, or resolve problems.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director.

Agency Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university AND license to practice law in the State of Georgia
• Possesses three years of experience in criminal defense.
• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential duties and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates the knowledge to conduct case research and documentation.
• Knowledge of statutes, court decisions, federal and state laws, and local criminal laws.
• Demonstrates the knowledge to investigate and prepare cases for hearings and trials.
• Ability to plan the work of assigned staff.
• Makes sound and well-informed decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Displays a high level of commitment toward work and a high standard of ethical conduct.

The selected candidate must meet the qualifications specific to the job responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university and license to practice law in the State of Georgia or eligibility to sit for the next Georgia Bar examination followed by Georgia Bar exam passage and licensure to practice law in the State of Georgia within one (1) year of hiring or reciprocity and two (2) years of relevant legal -experience; or two (2) years of experience required at the lower-level Attorney 2 (LEP021).

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services. Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.