Demo

Assistant Public Defender

State of North Carolina - Judicial Branch
Cumberland, NC Full Time
POSTED ON 9/14/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/11/2027

Agency

Indigent Defense Services

Division

PUBLIC DEFENDER 14 DISTRICT

Job Classification Title

Assistant Public Defender (NS)

Position Number

60008198

Grade

30013288

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

SALARY RANGE: $70,000.00 - $101,299.00

The Office of the Public Defender, District 14, seeks a qualified individual to serve as an Assistant Public Defender. The selected candidate will represent indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in District and Superior Court.

All Assistant Public Defenders must be capable of handling difficult cases and clients, while maintaining positive, professional relationships with co-workers, clients and the public. Attorneys are expected to visit clients at the jail and in prison facilities, and to travel outside the office to conduct other investigative procedures.

Applicants must have a strong desire and commitment to client advocacy and indigent defense. Attorney must be attentive to detail, organized, possess an ability to effectively communicate and litigate cases in the courtroom and have exceptional legal research and writing skills. A high level of technology and computer knowledge is essential.

The Cumberland County Office of the Public Defender strives to create a diverse staff with expertise and interest in serving our indigent clients who come to use with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, and disabilities. Newly admitted attorneys are encouraged to apply.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:

Knowledge of: Federal, State, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; and legal research methods.

Skills in: strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organization.

Ability to: analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner.

Supplemental and Contact Information:

INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings.

It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.

*NOTE* Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.

Carefully review the FAQs if you experience difficulty with the application process or attaching documents. For technical issues with applications or attachments, call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.

All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.


The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.



Charmaine J. Leeks
NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Human Resources Division
https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina. Newly admitted attorneys are encouraged to apply.

Applicants with experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court trials is helpful but not required.

Attach cover letter and resume.

EEO Statement

T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Charmaine James Leeks

Email:

HumanResources@nccourts.org

Benefits:

Health Insurance, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Retirement Plan

Salary : $70,000 - $101,299

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