ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Assistant Federal Public Defender Jobs in Indiana

allencounty

Assistant Public Defender Juvenile

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$63K - $84K/yr

Public Defender's Office FLSA Status: Exempt Classification/Level: Special Occupation Date: 04/2023 Under the direction of the Chief Public Defender, the Deputy Public Defender provides criminal ...

allencounty

Assistant Public Defender Juvenile

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$63K - $84K/yr

Public Defender's Office FLSA Status: Exempt Classification/Level: Special Occupation Date: 04/2023 Under the direction of the Chief Public Defender, the Deputy Public Defender provides criminal ...

Steuben County

IN · On-site

Public Defender - Murder Qualified DEPARTMENT: Public Defender WORK SCHEDULE: As Assigned JOB ... Working knowledge of and ability to apply Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances to a wide ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFederal Public Defender JobsAssistant Federal Public Defender JobsAssistant Federal Public Defender Jobs in Indiana

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 Indiana are hiring for Assistant Federal Public Defender jobs?

Cities in Indiana 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 Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Assistant Public Defender- Misdemeanors

The Allen County

Fort Wayne, IN • On-site

$20.31/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Deputy Public Defender - Misdemeanors
Department: Public Defender's Office - Misdemeanor FLSA Status: Exempt
Classification/Level: Special Occupation Date: 11/2018
Under the direction of the Chief Public Defender, the Deputy Public Defender provides criminal defense to indigent defendants in the courts of Allen County, Indiana as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Indiana Constitution and Indiana state law. This position is covered under the Circuit Court Employee Handbook. This is an employee-at-will position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Works directly with defendant and maintains regular contact with clients through correspondence, phone calls, and in person meetings, while upholding ethical duties of loyalty and confidentiality.
  • Responsible for representing defendants during criminal investigative proceedings.
  • Represents defendants in all court appearances, including pretrial discovery, withdraw pleas, and suppression notices.
  • Works with support staff to provide effective and high quality legal representation to accused indigent people facing felony or misdemeanor charges, juvenile adjudication, and mental health commitments.
  • Attends post-trial sentencing hearings for clients who negotiate plea bargains or are found guilty in trial.
  • Files appeals when errors are found in court proceedings which prevented the defendant from having a fair trial.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law
  • Valid Indiana license to practice law
  • Excellent written and communication skills
  • Ability to handle multiple priorities and a large volume of work

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:
The Deputy Public Defender performs work that consists of many complex and significant variables when providing criminal defense to indigent defendants. Extensive judgement and adaptation is required to provide effective and high quality legal representation.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The Deputy Public Defender performs work that is extensive and consequential while representing defendants. The Deputy Public Defender works with little to no supervision and is responsible for providing effective and high quality legal representation to all assigned defendants.
PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:
The Deputy Public Defender maintains frequent communication with defendants, judges, prosecutors, probation, law enforcement, investigators and Public Defender office staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The Deputy Public Defender performs work in a courtroom and office type setting. Very frequent typing, attention to detail, detailed inspection and transcription/proofreading exists.
SUPERVISION:
None
LICENSING:
Valid Indiana license to practice law
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:
Chief Public Defender
HOURS:
Hours vary; 37.5 hours
EEO CATEGORY:
8820
WORKERS'S COMP CODE:
0103
Please complete the application accurately and thoroughly. A resume is optional. Remember to save and submit your application. If applying for multiple positions, submit a separate application for each one. You'll receive an email confirmation once your application is received. Due to the high volume of applications, further communication will only occur if you're selected for an interview.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). Accordingly, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, disability or medical condition, national origin, and veteran status, and all other categories protected by federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Reasonable accommodations for persons with a known disabling condition will be considered in accordance with State and Federal Law.

Apply