22 Assistant Public Defender

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to represent and defend indigent clients in District Justice Court, Court of Common Pleas, in state Superior and Supreme Courts, in Juvenile Court, and in administrative hearings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Interviews clients; investigates cases; contacts and/or interviews witnesses.

Counsels clients and their families.

Represents clients at arraignments, preliminary hearings, and/or pretrial and post-sentencing motion practice.

Reads and analyzes various discovery materials in preparing for cases including police incident reports, arrest reports, witness statements, NCIC reports, conviction reports, lab reports, certified criminal and conviction records, medical records, expert reports, driving histories, etc.

Reviews letters, memoranda, notices, complaints, affidavits, case documents, PSI reports, legal reports, transcripts, and other legal documents.

Prepares for cases and represents clients in hearings, trials, and summary appeals; represents parents in hearings regarding dependency; attends initial and review hearings for children and youth; attends various juvenile hearings related to probation violations, detention, adjudication, and disposition.

Negotiates plea bargains with District Attorney’s Office.

Prepares letters, legal correspondence, briefs, guilty pleas, subpoenas, petitions, motions, waivers, affidavits, court orders, appeals notices, and other legal documents.

Attends hearings for areas such as bench warrants, extraditions, contempt of court, and indigency.

Reviews parole notices, probation violations, and ARD revocations.

Assists with crime investigation tasks such as inspecting the scene of a crime, photographing evidence, and serving subpoenas.

May assist the Public Defender in coordinating and supervising the office’s internship program.

Performs routine administrative duties including maintaining office files and records, organizing the law library, copying and faxing documents, typing forms and reports, and answering the telephone.

Confers with clients, witnesses, law enforcement and corrections personnel, probation officers, court clerks, judges, District Attorney, defense counsel, social services personnel, guardians ad litem, private investigators, and others.

Refers to state and federal statutes, legal opinions, treaties, legal textbooks, encyclopedias, law periodicals, case law, and other reference material in performing legal work.

Attends conferences and seminars to maintain knowledge of laws and regulations relating to public defense work.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctorate degree required; supplemented by six (6) months previous experience or training; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. Must be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,928.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Negative Covid-19 test required to begin employment.

Education:

• Doctorate (Preferred)

Experience:

• skills and abilities for this job: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Bar (Preferred)