Assistant Public Defender

State of North Carolina • Smithfield, NC

1d • $90,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Public Defender, District 13, is seeking multiple, qualified individuals to serve as an Assistant Public Defender. The selected candidate will represent indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in District and Superior Court. This position, specifically, is to help handle high level felony cases in Johnston County. Come join the District 13 Public Defender’s Office as an Assistant Public Defender and experience all that Johnston County has to offer! As one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina, Johnston County is uniquely situated at the crossroads of Interstate 40 and Interstate 95 allowing one to be at the beach in 2 hours or in the mountains in 4.5 hours. Johnston County has historically been known as a rural county, but the changing landscape is bringing in local breweries and award-winning restaurants. The county seat of Johnston County, Smithfield, is only a 30-minute drive to the State Capital of Raleigh, where one can enjoy all the perks of city living, including museums, designer shopping districts and an international airport! 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. As public service employees, it is strongly encouraged that all Assistant Public Defenders engage in community service projects and participate in outreach programs relevant to the services we are providing. This office opened in July 2024, is centrally located within the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield. We are looking for hard working, self-initiating attorneys willing to not only zealously advocate for their clients but with a client-centered, holistic approach to advocacy in mind. This position will include CLE opportunities, an annual Public Defender Conference, access to a variety of trainings, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and access to expert forensic resources to support you with the work you will do to defend indigent clients.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.
• Experienced attorneys with at least 3 years practice handling felonies and has tried at least 1 jury trial to verdict.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organization skills.
• Ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts.
• Ability to conduct legal research.
• Ability to plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results.
• Ability to prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations.
• Ability to deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections.
• Ability to express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner.
• Client-centered, holistic approach to advocacy.
• Expertise and interest in serving indigent clients who come to us with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, and disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Advocating for client's rights and interests prior to and during court proceedings, hearings, and trials. This includes conducting legal research, preparing legal documents, developing defense strategies, assisting in investigating cases and gathering evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting evidence in court.
• Staying informed about relevant laws, regulations, and legal precedents.
• Collaborating with other legal professionals, including colleagues within the public defender's office, investigators, and support staff.
• Handling administrative tasks related to caseload management, document preparation, and other responsibilities within the public defender's office.
• Maintaining open and effective communication with clients to keep them informed about their cases, explain legal options, and address their concerns. Also, maintaining communication to better understand your client's unique situation and build a strong defense on your client's behalf.
• Adhering to ethical standards and legal responsibilities in the practice of law.

Benefits

• CLE opportunities
• Annual Public Defender Conference
• Access to a variety of trainings
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Access to expert forensic resources
• Comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level