Assistant Public Defender - Level III

Company: Confidential
Location: Kalamazoo
Posted on: September 16, 2023

Job Description:

The Assistant Public Defender will work within a dynamic, innovative legal program, backed by a County capable of maximizing the mission. They will be responsible for delivering a holistic approach, engaging with the community, and addressing systemic issues while delivering on their responsibilities.

Their responsibilities will include:

- Provide court appointed indigent defense services.
- Carry a felony caseload with supervision from the Chief Public Defender.
- Review charging instruments, police reports, and other discovery provided by the Prosecution.
- Promptly meet with clients and learn the client's goals for the representation and any special needs of the client.
- Determine what further fact investigation to undertake and employ the services of internal investigators or outside investigators as agreed upon with the Chief Public Defender.
- Determine what outside expertise is required to understand the case and/or present the best factual case to the Court's finder of fact.
- Determine what legal issues need investigation, research accordingly, and present them in the appropriate forum, including interlocutory appeals.
- Negotiate with the Prosecution and promptly advise the client of the status of those negotiations.
- Litigate any necessary and appropriate legal issues, including bringing cases to trial.
- Maintain availability to other staff members for consultation and education; participate in training programs; maintain current knowledge of appropriate support functions.
- Maintain accurate and complete case files.
- Participate in, administer, or supervise legal clinics held in community forums.
- Mentor junior Assistant Public Defenders.
- Complete special projects and other duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender.

Candidate Profile

- The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
- A Juris Doctorate, licensed to practice in the State of Michigan, and in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan.
- At least seven years of experience as an attorney with five or more years of experience litigating criminal cases, felony criminal trial experience, and experience with complicated and serious offenses.
- Commitment to the holistic model.
- Personal and/or professional experience working with clients from the communities; an understanding of the ways in which racism and systemic barriers put clients at a greater risk of facing charges.
- Experience in a public defender office and/or a legal aid organization with a similar mission and/or similar case work strongly preferred but not required.
- Demonstrated record of successfully moving legal cases forward from client intake to investigation and completion.
- Administrative and supervisory experience strongly preferred.
- Exemplary interpersonal skills.

Keywords: Confidential, Kalamazoo , Assistant Public Defender - Level III, Other , Kalamazoo, Michigan