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Assistant Federal Public Defender Jobs in Arizona

Navajo County, AZ

Deputy Public Defender

Holbrook, AZ · On-site

$100K - $107K/yr

Public Defender Opening Date: 04/03/2025 Closing Date: Continuous Summary Under general supervision ... Provide legal representation to indigent clients in the defense and resolution of cases. * Assist ...

Navajo County

Deputy Public Defender

Holbrook, AZ · On-site

$100K - $107K/yr

... cases Assist in the defense of cases, review legal documents and compile and analyze case facts ... public. Desirable Qualifications Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and current ...

Pimacounty

Defense Investigator - Public Defender

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$28.85 - $34.25/hr

The Pima County Public Defender's Office is seeking a qualified and dedicated Defense Investigators ... Prepares reports to assist in defense of clients; * Testifies in a variety of judicial proceedings;

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Assistant Federal Public Defender information

What is an assistant federal public defender?

Assistant Federal Public Defenders are attorneys employed by the federal government to represent individuals charged with federal crimes who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer. They work within the Office of the Federal Public Defender and provide legal defense throughout all stages of the criminal process, from investigation through appeal. Their duties include advising clients, conducting legal research, preparing court documents, negotiating plea deals, and representing clients in court. Assistant Federal Public Defenders play a crucial role in ensuring everyone has access to fair legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant federal public defender?

To thrive as an Assistant Federal Public Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and strong expertise in criminal defense law and trial advocacy. Familiarity with federal court procedures, legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and case management systems is essential. Excellent communication, negotiation, and empathy are vital soft skills for effectively representing and supporting indigent clients. These abilities are crucial for ensuring fair representation, navigating complex legal processes, and advocating for clients’ rights in federal court.

What are some common challenges faced by assistant federal public defenders when managing their caseloads?

Assistant Federal Public Defenders often handle a high volume of complex cases simultaneously, requiring excellent time management and organizational skills. Balancing thorough client representation with strict court deadlines can be demanding, especially as many clients face serious federal charges and have limited resources. Additionally, public defenders must stay current on evolving federal laws and sentencing guidelines while collaborating closely with investigators, paralegals, and other attorneys. The role demands resilience, adaptability, and a strong commitment to client advocacy.

What is the difference between Assistant Federal Public Defender vs Public Defender Investigator?

AspectAssistant Federal Public DefenderPublic Defender Investigator
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), bar admissionHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require related experience
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, courtroom support, case preparationFieldwork, interviews, evidence gathering
Employer & IndustryFederal public defender offices, criminal defensePublic defender offices, criminal justice
Primary RoleLegal defense, case analysis, courtroom advocacyInvestigating cases, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses

Assistant Federal Public Defenders focus on legal defense and courtroom work, requiring legal credentials. Public Defender Investigators support cases through investigation and evidence collection, often with less formal education. Both roles serve public defense but have distinct responsibilities and skill requirements.

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Assistant Federal Public Defender jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Assistant Federal Public Defender job openings:

Assistant Federal Public Defender jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Federal Public Defender job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Administrative Secretary

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Federal Public Defender's Office
See more jobs at Federal Public Defender's Officeexternal

$46K - $56K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER for the District of Arizona is accepting applications for the position of full-time administrative secretary to be stationed in Tucson. The Federal Public Defender operates under authority of Title 18, United States Code, Section 3006A(g)(2)(A), to provide federal criminal defense services by court appointment to individuals unable to afford counsel.

Requirements. To qualify for an administrative secretary a person must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have two years of general experience and one year of specialized experience. Some higher education may be substituted for experience. Computer literacy, data entry and customer service skills are required. Experience with Word, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Excel, and other Windows-based application is preferred. Preference will be given to candidates who have handled multiple phone lines and/or have law office experience. Spanish language fluency is required for this position. Applicants selected for interview will be tested for Spanish fluency. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or Lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) who is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B). Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation. 

Duties. Primary duties of an administrative secretary include answering, screening and routing telephone calls; taking and delivering messages; greeting visitors; posting daily court calendar; opening case files; preparing weekly open case report and sending to attorney and assistant paralegals; assist with closing case files; scan documents; receive and process flip flop packets; take inventory, submit requests for, receive and store supplies and ensure receipts are forwarded to finance and procurement; deliver received packages; keep current log of books and resources in library; file room maintenance; running documents to/from the courthouse; handle maintenance/repairs, weekly car washes and monthly mileage reports for GSA vehicles assigned to office; and other duties as assigned.

Salary and Benefits. Starting salary for the administrative secretary will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant, within a range from Grade 6, Step 1, to Grade 8, Step 1, and currently yielding $46,270 to $56,942 per annum. This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The position does include regular Government employee benefits including health and life insurance, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit). All positions are at will and are subject to the availability of funds.

Items to include: Please include a letter of interest along with resume. References will be required from candidates selected for an interview.

The Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.


Equal Opportunity Employer. The Federal Public Defender for the District of Arizona is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals from groups underrepresented in national projects within the defender community are encouraged to apply.