Attorney I - Internal Only

City of Indianapolis and Marion County • Indianapolis, IN

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Marion County Public Defender Agency provides legal representation for Marion County citizens who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer in matters involving liberty interests, including criminal cases. Our services are provided as a public service. We work with the felony, misdemeanor, Title IV D, civil commitment, and juvenile courts. We also work on cases related to termination of parental rights as well as appeals. Our agency also offers education, services, and programs focused on different ways to serve jail sentences. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County. This position is responsible for providing effective representation of counsel to indigent persons charged with the equivalent of misdemeanors in either juvenile, misdemeanor, or appellate courts, or facing civil contempt, or CHINS proceedings. Independent Judgment is regularly utilized when there are no available policies and procedures. Independent actions and judgment are exercised in making decisions that are complex in nature and have considerable impact on Public Defender Agency policy. Decisions and actions may be controlled by state and federal laws. The actions and decision-making process allow for considerable latitude in making informed judgments, quick decisions, or decisions without the benefit of consultation. The incumbent is expected to exercise initiative, creativity, and independent problem-solving skills.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate and license to practice law required.
• Strong verbal, written, communication and presentation skills are required along with top level interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Computer knowledge a must.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Additionally, all Division attorneys must comply with all relevant Indiana Public Defender Commission standards, guidelines, and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Appears in court to provide effective representation of counsel to indigent persons in civil contempt proceedings, CHINS Proceeding, mental health court or persons charged with committing misdemeanor criminal offenses in adult, juvenile or appellate courts
• Conducts legal and factual review of the case; evaluates the legal and factual evidence for, or against, the client; engages in pretrial motion practice; and takes and defends depositions
• Consults with client, interviews witnesses and consults with medical, forensic, DNA or other experts as needed to effectively represent client
• Consults with opposing counsel to negotiate case disposition to include plea agreements and other disposition, including litigating case to the court or trying to jury
• Communicates with clients through regular methods to include telephone conversations, in person interviews, and jail consultations
• Reviews and updates court files; keeps client and families updated on case progress
• Delegates assignments to paralegal I and investigators, as appropriate
• Collaborates with social workers on multi-disciplinary strategies to achieve client objectives
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times

What This Job Offers

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