Public Defender 2 - Waterloo Juvenile (Winneshiek County)
About The Position
The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking an attorney to serve as a Public Defender 2, based out of its Waterloo Juvenile Office and providing representation to indigent clients in Winneshiek County. The Office of the State Public Defender’s mission is to ensure that indigent persons in Iowa receive high-quality legal representation in criminal and other eligible proceedings efficiently and responsibly. The attorney advocates for clients throughout assigned cases, represents them in court, prepares defenses through legal research and investigation, conducts pretrial discovery, negotiates case dispositions, and communicates with clients about strategy and case status. The role also includes preparing legal documents and motions, maintaining case files and time reports, and potentially directing investigators in accordance with office policies. Training and mentoring from experienced public defenders are provided in an environment that supports professional growth. This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing – Public Defender. Positions in this class are exempt from the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise screening and referral requirements.
Requirements
- Meet at least one of the listed minimum qualification pathways.
- Pathway 1: Graduate from an accredited law school, hold a current license to practice law in Iowa, and have experience equivalent to two years of full-time professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution work.
- Pathway 2: Have current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes 18 months of full-time work as a Public Defender 1.
Responsibilities
- Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every stage of the criminal justice system.
- Represent clients in court at pretrial hearings, bench or jury trials, sentencings, and other hearings.
- Prepare defenses by conducting legal research, gathering facts, and interviewing clients and witnesses.
- Conduct pretrial discovery, including depositions, and prepare withdrawal-of-plea and suppression motions.
- Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other case dispositions with prosecuting attorneys.
- Work with clients on case information, strategy, and trial preparation; keep clients informed about case status and answer their questions.
- Identify legal issues, research applicable law, and draft motions and briefs.
- Prepare legal documents, including written arraignments, written guilty pleas, motions, briefs, and letters.
- May direct investigators in accordance with internal office policies.
- Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports for the court, and close files in accordance with office policies.
Benefits
- Health, dental, life, and vision insurance.
- Paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package.
- Retirement Investors Club employer-sponsored retirement plan.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Employee discount programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
