Criminal Defense Attorney

The objective summary for this job classification is to provide professional legal services for the Law Offices of the Public Defender in representing juvenile and adult indigent clients in areas of litigation, appeal, counsel, research and analysis.

Public Defender 2's are typically paid an hourly rate that ranges from $31.45 ($65,416.00 annually) to $37.07 ($77,105.60 annually).

Public Defender 3's are typically paid an hourly rate that ranges from $43.42 ($90,313.60 annually) to $52.95 ($ annually).

Public Defender 4's are typically paid an hourly rate that ranges from $49.00 ($ annually) to $57.95 ($ annually).

*** This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $1.30 hourly / $2,704.00 annually.

Hourly pay differential reflects a retention pay incentive, as applicable to the position advertised.

For more information about living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, .

Our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood.

Attorneys at this level will handle a variety of misdemeanors and may assist in juvenile cases and youthful offender cases. They may assist higher level attorneys with complex cases, work under the direction and supervision of more experienced colleagues, conduct plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties, attend seminars and training, and draft, review, and prepare reports and legal documents.

Attorneys at this level should be able to represent clients in all misdemeanors or juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision. They provide guidance and mentoring to lower level attorneys and law clerks, work under the direction of higher level attorneys, conduct plea bargaining, attend seminars and training, and draft, review, and prepare reports and legal documents.

Positions at this level handle felony cases such as burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes and probation violations with limited supervision. They may handle more complex level felonies with some guidance, have knowledge and experience to handle an appellate caseload, prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court with some direction, provide guidance and advice to lower level attorneys, work independently and resolve complex issues, attend seminars and training, draft, review, and prepare reports and legal documents, and perform related duties as assigned.

Note:

An employee with this classification may be required to perform at a PD4, PD3, PD2 level or duties of a lower classification without additional compensation. Employee will be required to show competence in all levels PD2 through PD4.

PD2:
Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court.

PD3:
Current licensure as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and one (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.

PD4:
Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Collective Bargaining:
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA:
Exempt.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.