Assistant Public Defender

Under the general direction of the Public Defender, provides indigent defense attorney services for Calhoun County. 
 
Calhoun County is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse workplace that provides an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all employees and the public it serves.  

1. Provides indigent defense services through an active caseload. Meets with client(s), reviews charging documents, police reports, and other discovery or evidence provided by the Prosecution and makes recommendations for defense. 
2. Researches and prepares criminal cases for trial, motion, sentencing, and other proceedings, including research of applicable law, interviewing witnesses, investigating claims, and developing trail strategies. 
3. Appears in court for arraignments, motions, trials, sentencing, and other related proceedings. 
4. Determines if additional fact investigation is necessary, including the identification, consultation, and hiring of applicable experts as approved by the Public Defender or designee. 
5. Prepares briefs, legal documents, reports, correspondence, and other written materials. 
6. Attempts to negotiate and resolve pending cases without a trial where appropriate.
7. Actively participates in programs designed to address the underlying causes and risk factors that leas to involvement in the criminal justice system. These programs may be provided through treatments courts, legal, or civic organizations.
8. Maintains professional knowledge of criminal law and participates in training programs. 
9. Provides support, consultation, and training for less experience attorneys as needed or directed. 
10. Performs other duties as assigned. 

1. A Juris Doctorate from accredited law school. Membership in good standing with the State of Bar Michigan. Third year law students and recent graduates are also encouraged to apply. Continued employment will ultimately be contingent on successful admission to the Michigan State Bar. 
2. Computer skill necessary to effectively utilize word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications. Ability to use the Internet and e-mail. 
3. Possession of a valid Michigan vehicle operator’s license. 
4. Strong interpersonal skills necessary to work with a diverse group of county personnel and citizens. 
5. The ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, including to read and interpret documents, prepare reports and correspondence, and to present information and respond to questions. 
6. Reasoning skills needed to define and solve problems, collect fata, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. 
7. Mental ability to simultaneously handle multiple projects requiring concentration and attention to detail with frequent disruptions. 
8. Professionalism is an absolute necessity, along with the ability to appropriately handle both confidential information and sensitive situations. 

Supervisory Responsibilities                      

• None

• Physical ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, or carry items weighting up to ten pounds.
• Physical ability to talk, hear, and communicate verbally with others.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally required to perform tasks involving repetitive movement, bending, stooping, kneeling and/or climbing.  
• Occasionally required to sit for extended periods of time.

• Normal office environment with occasional discomfort due to heat, dust, and noise
• Extended workdays (beyond eight hours/day and weekends) are occasionally required.
• On-call availability to handle work problems, attend meetings, handle emergencies/crisis situations, etc. may be required. 
• Occasional travel between County locations is required. Out of County travel is occasionally required for training purposes.