Attorney III/IV - Public Defender

For exact salary information please refer to the current salary schedule, County website. 

Under general direction, to perform a variety of complex professional legal work and legal research; to represent the District Attorney's or Public Defender's, or the Siskiyou Modoc Regional Child Support Services' offices on assigned cases; to plan and coordinate investigation for the prosecution or defense of legal cases; and do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level in the professional attorney class series.  Incumbents are expected to perform the more complex professional legal work and research with minimal guidance and supervision.  In addition, they may have administrative responsibility for coordinating legal services for an assigned area or work unit.  This class differs from Attorney II in that Attorney III is the advanced journey level with incumbents performing a broader range of the more complex legal and trial work.  Attorney III's should perform the full range of legal services in an assigned department or unit.

REPORTS TO

Public Defender, Assistant Public Defender.  

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Incumbents may provide work direction and coordination for professional legal staff and legal support staff.

Attorney III -

Performs a variety of the more complex professional legal assignments and research; may be  assigned responsibility for an area of specialized legal services in a department or work unit; performs criminal prosecutions for both misdemeanors and felonies; receives and reviews complaints, examining evidence, interviewing witnesses, investigating crime scenes, and reviewing police reports to determine if criminal prosecution is warranted; authorizes and drafts criminal complaints, information, and other legal documents to support criminal prosecutions; conducts pleadings, arraignments, pre-trial agreements, and other aspects of trial work; appears in court, preparing and presenting cases at preliminary hearings, trials, and Grand Jury proceedings; reviews and analyzes complaints to prepare criminal defense; analyzes the facts of cases and legal precedents for preliminary hearing motions, stipulations, or waivers; confers with judges and/or opposition attorneys regarding modifications, withdrawing charges, and changing charges; negotiates case settlements; provides briefings and oral arguments; anticipates and prepares for legal reasoning of opposition attorneys; drafts jury instructions; presents opening statements; interrogates and cross examines witnesses; argues points of law; presents final arguments and summations; reviews court records, analyzes evidence, and prepares appellate briefs; works with local law enforcement agencies on cases; plans and coordinates investigations for gathering and preparing evidence for criminal cases; may be responsible for planning, coordination, and preparation of family support legal cases.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles of criminal, constitutional, civil, and administrative law.
• California codes and statutes applicable to criminal law.
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Legal research methods.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Computers and software used in professional legal work.       

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Perform professional legal and legal research work.
• Maintain administrative responsibility for an assigned area of legal services.
• Analyze facts and apply legal precedents and principles to assigned cases.
• Prepare and present cases at all levels of the court system.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Prepare and present a variety of special reports.
• Operate a computer and use appropriate software in the performance of professional legal work.
• Effectively represent the Siskiyou Modoc Regional Child Support Services department, District Attorney's or Public Defender's office with the public, courts, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions. 
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Knowledge of: 

• Principles of Criminal, Constitutional, Civil, and Administrative Law.
• California codes and statutes applicable to criminal law.
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Legal research methods.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Computers and software used in professional legal work.
• Trial and courtroom procedures, practices and rules of evidence.
• Duties, powers, responsibilities. Limitations and authorization of the District Attorney's Office or Public Defenders Office. 

Desired Skills: 

• Perform professional legal and legal research work.
• Maintain administrative responsibility for an assigned area of legal services.
• Analyze facts and apply legal precedents and principles to assigned cases.
• Prepare and present cases at all levels of the court system.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Prepare and present a variety of special reports.
• Operate a computer and use appropriate software in the performance of professional legal work.
• Effectively represent the Public Defenders or the District Attorneys Office with the public, courts, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions. 
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Attorney III -

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

-Two years of professional work experience in performing criminal law work comparable to that of an Attorney II with the County of Siskiyou.

Special Requirements:

-Possession of a current and appropriate driver's license.

-Current membership in the State Bar of California.

Eight years of full time, or its equivalent, trial professional work experience in the relevant area of law, including one year of experience as an Attorney III, Step 5, in the Siskiyou County District Attorney's , Public Defender's office or Child Support Services. 

Special Requirements:

Possession of a current and appropriate drivers license. 

Current membership in the California State Bar.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; ability to operate a motor vehicle over a variety of road surfaces and in a variety of weather conditions; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office environment; occasionally works outside; continuous contact with other staff.