Deputy Public Defender III/IV

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.

A Government Entity's Office seeks applicants for Deputy Public Defender III/IV. 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.

Deputy Public Defender III/IV
Under general direction, the Deputy Public Defender performs a broad range of professional legal representation services through the Public Defender's Office, prepares and defends criminal cases on behalf of the Public Defender and performs other related work as is required.

The Deputy Public Defender III is the third level in the career series. At this level, Deputies independently manage a difficult criminal caseload involving complex legal research and interpretation. The Deputy Public Defender IV is the highest level in the career series. Incumbents at this level independently manage the most difficult criminal cases and are authorized to negotiate the disposition of cases without going to trial.

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.
• Advises the general public and law enforcement personnel on criminal matters.
• May be assigned to train and/or serve as lead worker over less experienced attorneys.

The Successful Candidate

• The principals of criminal and civil law, criminal procedure, and trial practice.
• The methods of legal research and writing.
• Statutory, constitutional and decisional criminal laws of the State of California.
• The rules of evidence.

• 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.
• Orally communicate complex information and concepts to persons of divergent socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds; present persuasive arguments as an advocate in a clear and reasoned manner; and interrogate and cross examine witnesses in a courtroom.
• Write clearly and concisely.
• Organize large quantities of complex material in a logical manner for presentation in court.
• Effectively and logically present evidence in complicated criminal proceedings.
• Work independently under general supervision.
• Skill to use a personal computer.

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.

Additional Information:
Conditions of Employment:

• The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:
• Possess an active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Successfully complete a background check to include Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprinting.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

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