Merced County
Deputy Public Defender I/II/III/IV/V - Extra-Help Deputy Public Defender I/II/II
Merced County, Merced, California, United States, 95343
This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both full time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay rate is from $37.24 to $72.11 per hour.
Responsibilities
Acts as defense counsel in criminal cases; interviews and advises defendants and witnesses.
Interprets and applies laws, court decisions, etc. in the preparation of cases and briefs.
Prepares pleadings and other legal documents in connection with suits, trials, hearings, conservatorships, and other legal proceedings; performs legal research and investigations.
Examines evidence and prepares and presents the case for the defense in assigned criminal actions.
Performs administrative duties for the Public Defender; dictates correspondence and reports.
Assists the Chief Deputy Defender and the Public Defender as needed.
Level V – Lead, provides mentorship and direction to other attorneys; may assist in training other professional staff.
Level V – Demonstrates proficiency, diligence, and quality of representation appropriate for capital cases.
Experience
Level I: None.
Level II: One (1) year of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
Level III: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
Level IV: Two (2) years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender III in Merced County; OR four (4) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
Level V: Two (2) years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender IV with Merced County; OR six (6) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
License Active membership in the State Bar of California at time of appointment. Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.
Essential Functions
Frequent walking and standing for long periods of time; kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance, and crawl.
Frequent use of a data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motions.
Frequent lifting 5 pounds or less, occasionally up to 40 pounds.
Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception; good overall vision.
Frequent hearing of normal speech and talking in person and on the telephone.
Frequent concentration, decision-making and public contact; conduct presentations.
Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
Occasional exposure to emergency situations, trauma, or grief; occasional working alone and traveling.
Occasional contact with dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation and indoor/outdoor cold and heat.
Frequent use of hand–eye coordination; normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
Perform duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
Regular attendance is an essential function.
Knowledge
Practice of criminal law, including pertinent constitutional principles, legal codes, statutes, and court decisions necessary to providing effective defense.
Legal research methods.
Trial procedures and the rules of evidence.
Duties, powers, limitations, and responsibilities of the Public Defender's office.
Legal procedures and documents used in court cases.
Ethical and professional rules of conduct.
Level V-Capital case defense.
Level-V use of expert witnesses and evidence, including psychiatric and forensic evidence.
Ability
Develop facts and legal issues and present clear and logical legal arguments in defense of indigent clients.
Research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal defense problems.
Draft legal instruments and opinions.
Investigate and defend criminal complaints.
Perform difficult legal research.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others of differing socio‑economic backgrounds.
Effectively represent Public Defender functions in contact with the courts, citizens, community organizations and other government agencies.
Present statements of fact, law and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
Level V – Effectively lead, mentor, and train attorneys and professional staff.
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Responsibilities
Acts as defense counsel in criminal cases; interviews and advises defendants and witnesses.
Interprets and applies laws, court decisions, etc. in the preparation of cases and briefs.
Prepares pleadings and other legal documents in connection with suits, trials, hearings, conservatorships, and other legal proceedings; performs legal research and investigations.
Examines evidence and prepares and presents the case for the defense in assigned criminal actions.
Performs administrative duties for the Public Defender; dictates correspondence and reports.
Assists the Chief Deputy Defender and the Public Defender as needed.
Level V – Lead, provides mentorship and direction to other attorneys; may assist in training other professional staff.
Level V – Demonstrates proficiency, diligence, and quality of representation appropriate for capital cases.
Experience
Level I: None.
Level II: One (1) year of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
Level III: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
Level IV: Two (2) years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender III in Merced County; OR four (4) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
Level V: Two (2) years of experience as a Deputy Public Defender IV with Merced County; OR six (6) years of experience in the practice of civil or criminal law.
License Active membership in the State Bar of California at time of appointment. Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.
Essential Functions
Frequent walking and standing for long periods of time; kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance, and crawl.
Frequent use of a data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motions.
Frequent lifting 5 pounds or less, occasionally up to 40 pounds.
Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception; good overall vision.
Frequent hearing of normal speech and talking in person and on the telephone.
Frequent concentration, decision-making and public contact; conduct presentations.
Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
Occasional exposure to emergency situations, trauma, or grief; occasional working alone and traveling.
Occasional contact with dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation and indoor/outdoor cold and heat.
Frequent use of hand–eye coordination; normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
Perform duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
Regular attendance is an essential function.
Knowledge
Practice of criminal law, including pertinent constitutional principles, legal codes, statutes, and court decisions necessary to providing effective defense.
Legal research methods.
Trial procedures and the rules of evidence.
Duties, powers, limitations, and responsibilities of the Public Defender's office.
Legal procedures and documents used in court cases.
Ethical and professional rules of conduct.
Level V-Capital case defense.
Level-V use of expert witnesses and evidence, including psychiatric and forensic evidence.
Ability
Develop facts and legal issues and present clear and logical legal arguments in defense of indigent clients.
Research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal defense problems.
Draft legal instruments and opinions.
Investigate and defend criminal complaints.
Perform difficult legal research.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others of differing socio‑economic backgrounds.
Effectively represent Public Defender functions in contact with the courts, citizens, community organizations and other government agencies.
Present statements of fact, law and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
Level V – Effectively lead, mentor, and train attorneys and professional staff.
#J-18808-Ljbffr