Senior Deputy Public Defender

PURPOSE OF CLASS:

Administers the Public Defender's Office; provides professional legal services, with emphasis on defending criminal cases; performs related work as required.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney handles and manages more complex felony, misdemeanor, juvenile criminal defense and Child Protective Act cases. The Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney may also be assigned to specialty courts. The Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney may be assigned special duties by his or her supervisor. The position is located in the Bannock County Public Defender's Office. or.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney has more responsibility and discretion in handling and managing more complex felony and/or misdemeanor cases than a Deputy Public Defender Attorney. Likewise, a Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney may be assigned to handle complex caseload assignments and to deal with administrative and supervisory issues that coincide with this more complex caseload assignment. The Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney may have responsibilities to supervise and train Deputy Public Defenders and to provide training for investigators. Further, a Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney may be assigned to supervise a trial team, a specialty court team, or a juvenile court team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney performs all the job responsibilities of the Deputy Public Defender Attorney, as well as handling more complex cases and caseload assignments. In addition, the Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney may be assigned other responsibilities and duties by his or her supervisor, as well as;

• Provides legal representation and defense of indigent persons accused of crimes in Bannock County;
• Drafts legal documents such as motions, orders, and memoranda with supporting affidavits;
• Participates in case negotiations with prosecuting attorneys, which involves analyzing the case to determine its overall strength, evaluating relevant facts and the number and kinds of witnesses available, and determining what resolution is appropriate;
• Prepares for hearings and trials in District Court by reviewing reports, applicable statutes, legal issues, and physical evidence surrounding the case, identifying and interviewing witnesses, and preparing for trial;
• Conducts legal research necessary for case preparation and keeps abreast of Court decisions and legislation affecting the Idaho Criminal Code;
• Appears in court to represent defendants by presenting evidence and argument at arraignments, pretrial conferences, hearings on motions, jury and court trials, sentencings, and specialty court proceedings;
• Manages cases to meet discovery and other critical deadlines;
• Manages a heavy caseload effectively and in a timely manner;
• Supports and interacts with other team members to ensure effective caseload management;
• Handles appellate casework, including determining if a reasonable basis for appeal exists;
• May appeal criminal defense cases to the District Court, including filing briefs, motions, and affidavits;
• Provides legal representation and defense for juveniles in criminal and Child Protection Act cases;
• Maintains contact with defendants and responds to clients' needs in a timely manner;
• Treats all defendants, support staff, colleagues, and the courts with dignity and respect;
• Maintains collegial relationship with prosecuting attorneys and treats all counsel fairly;
• Demonstrates the conduct and behavior of a team player by helping create a professional and rewarding work environment for all Public Defender employees;
• Communicates effectively and works to develop a high level of credibility with clients, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, court personnel, and co-workers.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• May train and/or provide supervision to other staff members;
• The Sr. Deputy Public Defender Attorney shall serve at the direction and discretion of the Chief Public Defender and shall perform any and all job functions assigned by the Chief Public Defender;
• Attend CLE courses to advance skills in relevant specialty areas and maintain bar membership and good standing with the Idaho State Bar.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have graduated from an accredited law school and be a member in good standing of the Idaho State Bar;
• Trial experience with all types of felony and misdemeanor cases;
• Knowledge of Idaho Statutes, case law, rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and criminal jury instructions;
• Knowledge of online search engines such as Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis;
• Knowledge of the local district court rules and local courthouse procedures;
• Knowledge of the current judiciary;
• Ability to work independently and make sound, critical decisions in case handling and strategy;
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively;
• Ability to be a team player;
• Ability to manage a small unit or division;
• Ability to assist in the training of other colleagues;
• Ability to exercise good judgment;
• Ability to manage and supervise employees;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with victims, witnesses, members of other agencies, and co-workers;
• Ability to conduct self in a professional manner both inside and outside the courtroom.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience with PowerPoint and Excel;
• Experience with all available audio/visual equipment;
• Must possess a strong work ethic;
• Must maintain the highest of ethical standards;
• This position has been designated safety sensitive and is therefore subject to random drug testing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment and the employee in this class is subject to inside environmental conditions.
• Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to permit the employee to function in a general office environment and accomplish tasks.