Assistant Chief Public Defender - Public Defender's Office - TIDC-Grant Funded Position-J07080-25300

Nueces County•Village of Fonda, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nueces County Public Defender’s Office Assistant Chief Public Defender will represent indigent individuals facing felony charges. The Assistant Chief Public Defender will provide a full range of legal services to indigent clients. The Assistant Chief Public Defender will maintain a partial caseload. Although the primary responsibility is felony cases, the Assistant Chief Public Defender may also handle misdemeanor, juvenile, and appeal cases. The Assistant Chief Public Defender will assist the Chief Public Defender upon request in developing policies and procedures, and in supervising and training all staff. The Assistant Chief Public Defender will assume the duties of the Chief Public Defender in their absence. The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the Department Head.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school
At least six years of criminal law experience as an attorney, preferably as a criminal defense attorney
At least three years of management or supervision experience, which may include management of a law firm or office.
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, may be considered for current Nueces County employees only.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.
Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions in and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
License from the Texas State Bar to practice law in the State of Texas.
Texas Driver’s License.
Knowledge of management principles and practices and ability to motivate, train, supervise and objectively evaluate subordinate professional and support personnel.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal law.
Knowledge of trial procedures.
Ability to evaluate facts, procedures, and legal precedents relevant in complex court cases.
Skill in making persuasive legal arguments.
Knowledge of investigative tools and techniques.
Skill in conducting legal research.
Ability to use computers and relevant software programs.

Responsibilities

Perform case evaluation, preparation, and management.
Research case law and legal issues.
Draft necessary motions, responses, and briefs, and argue them in court.
Conduct background investigation, interview witnesses, victims, and law enforcement officers where appropriate.
Represent clients in court for pretrial, evidentiary hearings and jury/bench trials.
Communicate case evaluation and status to client effectively and in timely manner.
Communicate effectively with judges, court staff, prosecutors, family members, witnesses, and other interested parties.
Participate in training and continuing education to remain informed of new court decisions, laws, and rules and regulations.
Prioritize and organize work to meet filing deadlines and court appearances.
Collaborate with public defender team and relevant service providers.
Supervise and delegate responsibilities to legal secretaries and investigators.
Assist in training less experienced public defenders as requested by Chief Public Defender.
Maintain legal files and records, document case evaluation and activity.
Collaborate with Chief Public Defender to create policies and procedures that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of indigent defense.
Collaborate with Chief Public Defender to provide training and supervision for attorneys and staff.
Perform any other duties as assigned.
Shares with Chief Public Defender responsibility for supervising all staff in the Public Defender’s Office.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.