Assistant Public Defender

Overview

POSITION DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Performs professional legal work defending indigent clients charged with misdemeanor offenses in City Court including pretrial functions. Advises clients on a wide range of direct and collateral consequences of criminal prosecution.

• Prepares cases for trial by conducting client interviews (in-person, virtual, telephonic, and jail). Reviews and evaluates evidence. Researches legal issues and specific case issues. Drafts legal documents. Conducts witness interviews. Participates in plea negotiations and settlement conferences. Prepares evidence and documents to present for trial per city and state guidelines. Provides case staffing/consulting. Conducts crime scene investigations and prepares exhibits such as photos, diagrams, and documents.
• Defends clients in City Court by attending hearings, in both virtual and in-person environment, arguing relevant issues and case law, presenting mitigating factors, conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses, making objections, introducing evidence. Conducts legal hearings, evidentiary hearings, jury and/or bench trials. Presents documentation and other relevant information to appropriate individuals including prosecutors (for plea negotiations) and supervisors (for case review).
• Leads paraprofessionals, assistants, seasonal employees, law students/interns, volunteers, or temporary employees on requests related to client representation.
• Other duties and tasks as assigned under the direction of the supervisor/administration.

* All duties, responsibilities listed are subject to change.

Minimum Qualifications: Juris Doctorate and under one (1) year of related experience. One year of experience in criminal litigation. Member of the Arizona State Bar Association in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual – English/Spanish. Experience in Criminal Law. Trial experience and or Immigration experience preferred but not mandatory.

Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Position Title: Assistant Public Defender

Department Name: Department Link: NA

Recruiter Name: Diane Webster (103469)

Recruiter Email: NA

FTE%:

FLSA: Exempt

Position Type: Regular

Full Hourly Range: $35.37 - 61.01 USD

The Full Hourly Range reflects the City of Tucson's pay range at the time of posting. The City of Tucson considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The City of Tucson offers a generous benefits package for benefit-eligible positions. The comprehensive, flexible, and affordable coverage is designed to optimize health and well-being, security and future, and peace of mind. Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings.

With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years. We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours.

You can learn more about our benefits at Tucson City URL.

Posting Close Date:

Application Instructions:

Please see the special application instructions below and follow the directions for applying to this position.

Special Instructions: The City of Tucson Public Defender's Office is an interested Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program employer. The starting salary for this position is $78,560. This is an open and continuous recruitment. Applications will be reviewed 30 days from the opening date, and the first Monday of each month thereafter.

Background Check: This position has been designated to require a…