Description:
All application materials must be received by the priority screening date for a guaranteed review. Applications received after this date will be considered on an as needed basis until the position is filled.The Monterey County Public Defender's Office seeks applicants for Deputy Public Defender II. The Deputy Public Defender career series provides expertise necessary to prepare and defend juveniles and indigent adults through the Public Defender's Office. Incumbents are responsible for independently managing a caseload and are in court approximately 85% of their time. The Deputy Public Defender II is the second level in the career series. Incumbents at this level are expected to independently manage a routine caseload.
The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.
This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.
Examples of Duties:
- Prepares and defends criminal cases by presenting opening statements, interrogating and cross examining witnesses, introducing evidence, making relevant objections, arguing points of law, and presenting closing arguments.
- Researches questions of law and evidence and applies statutory and decisional case law, along with such other legal treatises as may be required, in the preparation of cases for hearing in court.
- Attends other scheduled court hearings such as arraignments, pretrial hearings and motions, sentencings and probation revocations.
- Prepares legal briefs, motions, memorandums of points and authorities, documents and pleadings.
- Interviews victims, police officers and witnesses.
- Marshals, reviews and prepares evidence for presentation in court.
- Negotiates the appropriate disposition of criminal cases without going to trial.
- Organizes facts and legal arguments and marshals witnesses in preparation for trial and other court proceedings; determines nature of follow-up investigations needed for trial.
The Successful Candidate
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Thorough knowledge of:
Examples of Experience/Education/Training
Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying.
- The methods of legal research and writing
- Gather and evaluate complex data and draw logical conclusions; evaluate facts and formulate an effective course of action.
- Read, interpret and apply the principles contained in statutes, published court decisions and other relevant legal precedent.
- Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Skill to use a personal computer.
Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying.
