Assistant Public Defender I

County of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Attorney providing professional legal representation to indigent adults charged with crime and to juveniles in delinquency proceedings. Practice in magisterial district court, court of common pleas, and Pennsylvania appellate courts. The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees. Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science).
Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge skills and ability to perform this job.
License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the rules and regulations of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
If meeting the criteria for "driver" designation under the Lancaster County Transportation Policy, then compliance with "Authorized Driver Guidelines" under same Policy.
Criminal history background check.
Commitment to providing a high level of professional service to indigent adults charged with crime and to children in delinquency proceedings.
Ability to communicate with clientele, opposing counsel, judges, court-related personnel, prison personnel, and witnesses.

Responsibilities

Provide competent and effective legal representation to adult defendants and to allegedly delinquent children in various court proceedings including preliminary hearings, trials, pre-trial hearings, guilty plea hearings, sentencing hearings, parole/probation violation hearings, Post-Conviction Relief Act hearings, Protection from Abuse Act proceedings, and miscellaneous matters such as support contempt hearings, bench warrant court, fines & costs hearings, summary appeal hearings, Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, ARD Court, adjudicatory and dispositional hearings, detention hearings, and post-dispositional review hearings.
Provide competent and effective legal representation to adult defendants and to allegedly delinquent children in out-of-court activities, including communicating with clients in various settings, communicating with client's family, loved-ones, doctors, teachers, and social workers, performing factual investigation, reviewing file materials, coordinating the involvement of defense experts, performing legal research, and preparing legal documents and oral presentations.