Deputy Public Defender Attorney I, II, III

County of Orange•Orange County, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Orange County Public Defender's Office is a law firm of highly dedicated and skilled attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and support staff who work to advance a more humane and compassionate justice system by protecting the constitutional rights and freedoms of the diverse communities of Orange County through inspired, client-centered advocacy in the courtroom and the community. The principal role of the Offices of the Public Defender is to provide each client with high quality representation, thereby protecting their constitutional rights and liberties. In advancing the cause of these clients, the dedicated lawyers and support staff are on the front lines protecting the precious rights and privileges of all Orange County residents. In addition to clients in criminal cases, counsel is appointed to represent children in Juvenile Court Delinquency cases, parents in Dependency cases, and a variety of persons in Mental Health cases. As a Deputy Public Defender you will enforce and protect the Constitutional rights, privileges and freedoms of individuals by providing the highest quality legal advocacy for all clients in the Courts of Orange County, which in turn helps protect those important rights for all County residents. The assignment may be at any of our various locations or units and will include criminal, mental health, and dependency cases. This is an in-person assignment, and the duties cannot be performed remotely/virtually.

Requirements

MUST be an active member of the State Bar of California and eligible to practice law in the State of California.
Possession of a California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation to carry out the essential functions of the job.
Attorney I: None required.
Attorney II: Twelve (12) months of experience as an attorney in the practice of criminal law. Post-Bar attorney experience in a civil or general practice law office may be substituted for the criminal experience on a two-month for one-month basis.
Attorney III: Two (2) years of experience as an attorney in the practice of criminal law. Post-Bar attorney experience in a civil or general practice law office may be substituted for the criminal experience on a two-month for one-month basis.
Members in good standing of California State Bar and have been assigned a license number, but have inactive membership status are also welcome to apply (for Attorney II and III).
An active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the State of California must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.
Years of experience are calculated based upon the work rate of 40 hours per week.
Appointees must pass a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County of Orange Public Defender's Office (for all levels), including a fingerprint check though Live Scan.
Applicants will also be required to answer a conviction questionnaire as part of the background process.
A clean driving record may be required while employed in this classification.
Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

Nice To Haves

Attorney who would like to learn to be a skilled trial lawyer.
Caring, empathetic humanitarian who would like a job that provides you with great personal fulfillment.
Able to effectively communicate with a judge, district attorney and a jury.
Team player who has a zeal for the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution.
Individual who can deliver the mission of the Offices of the Public Defender in an ethical and responsible manner.
Attorney who is passionate about the law and has a desire to become a skilled trial litigant.
Possess strong ethical standards, good organizational skills, and an unwavering commitment to provide the best legal representation for their clients.
Attorney experience in the practice of criminal law with experience in litigation and trial work.

Responsibilities

Enforce and protect the Constitutional rights, privileges and freedoms of individuals by providing the highest quality legal advocacy for all clients in the Courts of Orange County.
Provide representation for clients in criminal cases, Juvenile Court Delinquency cases, Dependency cases, and Mental Health cases.
Conduct background checks, including employment history, professional references, conviction history, criminal check, and education verification.
Pass a background investigation, including a fingerprint check through Live Scan.
Answer a conviction questionnaire as part of the background process.
Maintain an active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the State of California throughout employment.