Oklahoma Indigent Defense System
Defense Counsel (Cleveland County)
Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Job Posting Title : Defense Counsel (Cleveland County)
Agency : 047 INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM
Supervisory Organization : Okla Indigent Defense System
Job Type : Regular
Schedule : Full Time
Compensation : Salary commensurate with qualifications and within agency salary schedule.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date. The posting is continuous if the date is blank.
Job Description
The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS) is the statewide public defender agency which provides legal representation to indigent clients throughout the State of Oklahoma, with the exception of Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. OIDS is currently seeking a full‑time Defense Counsel in its Non‑Capital Trial Division, Cleveland County office.
Basic Purpose
Defense Counsel represent indigent individuals in state court at the trial level in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile delinquency, traffic and wildlife cases; Counsel is also responsible for providing clients with competent legal advice and zealous advocacy at every phase of the criminal trial process.
Typical Functions
Performs case management activities, including maintaining complete and accurate files of all pleadings and orders
Communicates with the client on all aspects of the case, including plea negotiations and post‑judgement proceedings, according to agency policy and standards to ensure the client can make informed decisions regarding legal representation
Communicates with the client’s friends and family to obtain pertinent information without disclosing privileged or confidential information
Conducts independent and expeditious investigations relating to the client’s guilt or innocence and potential sentences
Collects and maintains evidence acquired through the investigation per established standards and laws
Prepares for trial by filing pretrial motions; develops plea negotiation strategy based on jurisdictional practices and policies and with client’s input; secures assistance from experts; and formulates a defense theory based on information produced through the investigation
Conducts ongoing legal research to identify new issues and prepare for briefing of argument on motions
Prepares for jury selection by considering legal challenges to the selection procedure and developing questions and challenges to determine if the potential juror is suitable
Preserves legal error for appellate review on all applicable grounds
Serves as Co‑Counsel as assigned
Provides consultation, advice, assistance, and support to other attorneys and staff
Performs administrative duties when asked
Level Descriptor
Positions may be filled at Levels I – VI, depending on candidate experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies
Knowledge includes applicable state and federal laws; regulations for non‑capital trials; constitutional law and the Oklahoma constitution; agency policies and procedures; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; and methods for conducting legal research and writing.
Skills include critical thinking, legal research, written and oral communication, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel), attention to detail, and sound judgment.
Abilities include presenting statements of fact and law, articulating positions logically in written and oral form, analyzing and applying laws and regulations, conducting independent research, meeting timelines while following Oklahoma statutes, and representing the agency professionally.
Education and Experience
Applicants should possess a Juris Doctorate degree, active membership and good standing with the State Bar of Oklahoma, or eligibility for admission. Alternatively, applicants should be scheduled to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam.
Special Requirements
Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct. Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all job‑related travel normally associated with this position.
Benefit Highlights
Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
Wide choice of insurance plans with no pre‑existing condition exclusions or limitations
Life/Supplemental Life/Dependent Life/Disability insurance plans
Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
Employee assistance program and health/fitness programs
15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees (amounts increase with years of service)
11 paid holidays
Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
Longevity Bonus for years of service
Method of Application
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a letter of interest and resume with their online application.
All Sources: Applicants without previous state service, with previous state service but not currently employed by a state agency, or currently in trial period status, must apply through the Workday online External Listings applicant system (State of Oklahoma Careers – https://okgov.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/okgovjobs).
Current State of Oklahoma Employees: Must apply for open positions through their Workday account: https://www.myworkday.com/wday/authgwy/okgov/login.htmld. After logging into Workday, go to Menu > Careers > Find Jobs – Internal State of Oklahoma.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
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Agency : 047 INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM
Supervisory Organization : Okla Indigent Defense System
Job Type : Regular
Schedule : Full Time
Compensation : Salary commensurate with qualifications and within agency salary schedule.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date. The posting is continuous if the date is blank.
Job Description
The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS) is the statewide public defender agency which provides legal representation to indigent clients throughout the State of Oklahoma, with the exception of Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. OIDS is currently seeking a full‑time Defense Counsel in its Non‑Capital Trial Division, Cleveland County office.
Basic Purpose
Defense Counsel represent indigent individuals in state court at the trial level in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile delinquency, traffic and wildlife cases; Counsel is also responsible for providing clients with competent legal advice and zealous advocacy at every phase of the criminal trial process.
Typical Functions
Performs case management activities, including maintaining complete and accurate files of all pleadings and orders
Communicates with the client on all aspects of the case, including plea negotiations and post‑judgement proceedings, according to agency policy and standards to ensure the client can make informed decisions regarding legal representation
Communicates with the client’s friends and family to obtain pertinent information without disclosing privileged or confidential information
Conducts independent and expeditious investigations relating to the client’s guilt or innocence and potential sentences
Collects and maintains evidence acquired through the investigation per established standards and laws
Prepares for trial by filing pretrial motions; develops plea negotiation strategy based on jurisdictional practices and policies and with client’s input; secures assistance from experts; and formulates a defense theory based on information produced through the investigation
Conducts ongoing legal research to identify new issues and prepare for briefing of argument on motions
Prepares for jury selection by considering legal challenges to the selection procedure and developing questions and challenges to determine if the potential juror is suitable
Preserves legal error for appellate review on all applicable grounds
Serves as Co‑Counsel as assigned
Provides consultation, advice, assistance, and support to other attorneys and staff
Performs administrative duties when asked
Level Descriptor
Positions may be filled at Levels I – VI, depending on candidate experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies
Knowledge includes applicable state and federal laws; regulations for non‑capital trials; constitutional law and the Oklahoma constitution; agency policies and procedures; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; and methods for conducting legal research and writing.
Skills include critical thinking, legal research, written and oral communication, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel), attention to detail, and sound judgment.
Abilities include presenting statements of fact and law, articulating positions logically in written and oral form, analyzing and applying laws and regulations, conducting independent research, meeting timelines while following Oklahoma statutes, and representing the agency professionally.
Education and Experience
Applicants should possess a Juris Doctorate degree, active membership and good standing with the State Bar of Oklahoma, or eligibility for admission. Alternatively, applicants should be scheduled to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam.
Special Requirements
Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct. Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all job‑related travel normally associated with this position.
Benefit Highlights
Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
Wide choice of insurance plans with no pre‑existing condition exclusions or limitations
Life/Supplemental Life/Dependent Life/Disability insurance plans
Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
Employee assistance program and health/fitness programs
15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees (amounts increase with years of service)
11 paid holidays
Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
Longevity Bonus for years of service
Method of Application
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a letter of interest and resume with their online application.
All Sources: Applicants without previous state service, with previous state service but not currently employed by a state agency, or currently in trial period status, must apply through the Workday online External Listings applicant system (State of Oklahoma Careers – https://okgov.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/okgovjobs).
Current State of Oklahoma Employees: Must apply for open positions through their Workday account: https://www.myworkday.com/wday/authgwy/okgov/login.htmld. After logging into Workday, go to Menu > Careers > Find Jobs – Internal State of Oklahoma.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
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