Assistant Public Defender

Job Summary

The Assistant 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. This position works closely with other members of the holistic defense team to perform legal research, handle cases primarily in District Court, and provide representation to individuals on the arraignment docket.  

Essential Job Functions

1. The Assistant Public Defender provides legal representation to clients appointed to the office, primarily within the Delta County courts, and carries a full caseload as determined by the Chief Public Defender.
2. Reviews charging instruments, police reports, and other discovery provided by the prosecution.
3. Promptly meets with clients and learns the client’s goals for the representation and any special needs of the client.
4. Determines if there is any further fact investigation to undertake and directs that investigation, determines which legal issues need development, and completes research of those issues.
5. Negotiates with the prosecution and promptly advises the client of the status of the negotiations.
6. 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.
7. Drafts any necessary motions, briefs, and orders.
8. Litigates any legal issue that is necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial.
9. Conducts any required post-trial litigation, maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions; maintains accurate, complete and legible case files.
10. Maintains availability to other staff members for consultation and education; participates in training programs; maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions.
11. Complies with requirements of the MIDC Standards for ongoing training.
12. Performs attorney functions, other duties, and special projects, as assigned by senior attorneys, 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 law license from the State Bar of Michigan as evidence of continued good professional standing and authority to practice law through the state. Prior criminal law experience and District Court trial experience is preferred but not 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.