Deputy Chief Public Defender

Job Summary

The Deputy Chief Public Defender provides support for adult indigent defendants at Superior Defense, a nonprofit organization that contracts with Iron, Delta, and Dickinson Counties to provide exceptional legal representation to indigent clients facing criminal charges. In addition to docket responsibilities, this position mentors and provides support and leadership for the staff attorneys and assists the Chief Public Defender with the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and practices of the organization. This position provides organizational direction and leadership in the absence of the Chief Public Defender.

Essential Job Functions

1. The Deputy Chief Public Defender provides court appointed indigent defense services, primarily within the Delta County courts, and carries a caseload as determined by the Chief Public Defender.
2. Handles all levels of criminal charges in District and Circuit Court and the specialty courts.
3. Initiates prompt meetings with clients to assess litigation and representation goals and to discuss legal representation and development of legal strategies.
4. Reviews charging instruments, police reports, and other discovery provided by the prosecution.
5. Determines what further fact investigation to undertake and directs that investigation, determining what legal issues need development and researches those issues.
6. Drafts and argues pre-trial motions and necessary interlocutory appeals.
7. Negotiates with the prosecution and promptly advises the client of the status of the negotiations.
8. Litigation of any legal issue that is necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial.
9. Serves as temporary counsel for Defendants facing arraignment, confer with those Defendants, and determine whether they are requesting appointment of and qualify for court-appointed counsel.
10. Conducts any post-trial litigation, maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions; maintains accurate, complete and legible case files.
11. Maintains availability to other staff members for consultation and mentorship; participates in training programs; maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions. Provides support and leadership for staff attorneys including maintaining legal and MIDC standards; providing guidance for difficult legal concepts and developing legal strategy; and serving as co-counsel while staff attorneys are preparing for and conducting hearings and trials.
12. Attends continuing education and maintains current knowledge of emerging legal concepts to comply with MIDC standards and to remain effective in the mentoring and guidance of staff attorneys.
13. Develops and implements office policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with MIDC standards and Delta County requirements and to improve quality of legal services provided.
14. Assists the Chief Public Defender with administrative functions including personnel issues, financial matters, and the annual budget.
15. In the absence of the Chief Public Defender, provides oversight, direction, and leadership of the office including staff attorneys, administrative and secretarial staff, and contractors. May attend administrative, legal, and community meeting and MIDC conferences and functions.
16. Performs attorney functions, other duties, and special projects, as assigned by the Chief Public Defender or designee.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.

Education and Experience

Candidates must possess a Juris Doctor degree with a valid law license from the State Bar of Michigan as evidence of continued good professional standing and authority to practice law through the state.

A minimum of five years of progressively more responsible roles in the practice of criminal law and significant experience litigating at least eight felony-level jury trials is also required.

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to work compassionately and respectfully with clients in crisis.
• Experience working with individuals from multi-ethnic communities.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Possess a demonstrated commitment to social justice issues and/or indigent defense.
• Ability to operate technology to search and retrieve information.
• Ability to operate digital equipment such as phones, computer, fax, calculator, printer, copier, scanner, digital video and digital cameras, cell phone extractions, video editing.
• Utilize services of interpreters as necessary to communicate with clients, witnesses and other persons related to the case.
• Maintain confidentiality with highly sensitive information.
• Accept direction and follow office policies and procedures.
• Work independently as well as collaboratively in a legal services team atmosphere.

Additional Requirements

• Must maintain regular, reliable and predictable attendance
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to access all courtrooms within Iron, Delta, and Dickinson Counties
• Comfortable with the daily use of technology
• Ability to perform responsibilities without additional clerical support, if necessary
• Must maintain State Bar of Michigan Certificate of Admittance throughout employment
• May be assigned to work in any public defender office or court location
• Comfortable working with individuals charged and/or convicted of a variety of criminal offenses, including in community and jail settings
• This position may have irregular assignments to other service areas
• Some call may become necessary

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work to be performed by a person assigned to this job.  It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the individual employed with Superior Defense.