ATTORNEY - ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I

Accepting candidates with a Juris Doctorate and the ability to obtain their State Bar License within 12 months. Serve as the attorney of record of indigent defendants in criminal cases ensuring that Jackson County meets all constitutional and legislative requirements.

Easily apply by entering your personal contact information into our job application and uploading your cover letter and resume.

QUALIFICATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Juris Doctorate degree, eligible for a Certificate of Admittance to the State Bar of Michigan. Conditional employment based on ability to obtain your State Bar License within 12 months of hire. Prefer one year experience in the practice of criminal law or law school internship/externship/clinic experience but will train the right candidate.

Upon verification of passing the Bar and being sworn in within 12 months of employment, you would progress to the next level, Assistant Public Defender II, and a wage increase of 4.95%.

A valid Michigan Drivers’ License is also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs all case related legal work as required and authorized by the Public Defender. The Assistant Public Defender I will, under the direct supervision of a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan, represent indigent and partially indigent defendants in arraignment proceedings and will serve as co-counsel or second chair to an Assistant Public Defender II in misdemeanor cases. Essential functions include but are not limited to:

1. Promoting and protecting the expressed interest of the client at all times, represents indigent and partially indigent adult criminal offenders at arraignments proceedings.

2. Prepares for court appearances by conducting interviews with witnesses, law enforcement personnel and any other applicable entity.

3. Advises indigent clients of their rights and plea options at the arraignment hearing. Assists the client at the arraignment hearing and makes a compelling bond argument, when applicable.

4. Drafts and files bond appeals, when appropriate.

5. Serves as co-counsel or second chair to Assistant Public Defender II’s in misdemeanor cases.

6. Assists senior public defenders by conducting legal research, analyzing evidence, drafting motions and briefs and another other duties, as necessary.

7. Provides attorney coverage for time-off requests.

8. Handles overflow misdemeanor cases, as necessary, and if qualifications are met as stated in proposed MIDC Standard 7.

9. Interacts with other internal departments, police agencies, private investigators, private attorneys, social agencies and the general public.

10. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills; the ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations and precedents and procedures; the ability to analyze facts, evidence and precedents and arrive at logical interpretation; set forth findings of fact and conclusions in written legal form.

11. Monitors legal developments, including legislation and court decisions which may impact the work of the department.

12. Maintains confidentiality with highly sensitive information and ensure confidential information is being stored in an appropriate manner consistent with the law and Rules of Professional Conduct.

13. Maintains accurate, complete and legible case files.

14. Attends meetings, conferences and continuing education opportunities as approved by the Chief Public Defender.

15. Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender.

16. Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.

17. Must attend a minimum of (12) CLE hours annually.

BENEFITS EFFECTIVE DATE OF HIRE!

This is an exempt level position with excellent benefits, including health, life, disability, paid time off and paid holidays, effective date of hire!

CORE BENEFITS (provided at no cost): $30,000 Life Insurance, $30,000 AD&D; Long-Term Disability; Wellness Benefits; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Holidays; Paid Time Off (based on length of service); Paid bereavement leave; Education Assistance of up to $3,000 annually.

OPTIONAL BENEFITS (cost share required): Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision; Optional Life Insurance for employee, spouse and dependent children; Short-Term Disability; Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and/or Dependent Care); Health Savings Accounts; Consumerism Card; Legal Shield & ID Shield.

Benefit eligible employees opting out of the County's health plan with proof of other coverage are eligible for a $3,000 Cash-In-Lieu of Insurance benefit.

Full time employees are offered an Employer match of up to 5% in our Defined Contribution/401a Plan with voluntary contributions to our 457 Plan and greater than two times the employee contribution to our Retirement Health Savings Plan (RHS). The Employee contribution for the RHS Plan is $900 annually with an employer contribution of $2,050 annually.

For full benefit details, go to https://www.mijackson.org/439/Employment-Benefits

We're a great place to work and great place to live - check us out! Join our team, our values, our purpose - Proudly serve the citizens of Jackson County:

* Quality & Efficiency: Our employees are committed to continuous improvement and getting the most value for the public resources entrusted to them.
* Integrity and accountability: Our employees behave in a fair and ethical manner and demonstrate a strong commitment to public services.
* Teamwork and Community: Our employees work collaboratively with each other and the community to achieve shared goals.

To learn more, search "LIVE, WORK, PLAY JACKSON, MI" or go to https://www.mijackson.org/31/Live-Work-Play

Pay: $73,132.80 - $75,326.78 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $73,133 - $75,327