Chief Public Defender

The Office of Public Defender shall provide legal services as required by applicable law and shall have and may exercise, but shall not be limited to, those powers and duties now or hereafter conferred or imposed upon it by this Charter, the Administrative Code, or other County ordinance or resolution, and, to the extent which they are not inconsistent with the provisions, spirit, and purpose of this Charter, the Administrative Code, or other County ordinance or resolution, those powers and duties now or hereafter conferred or imposed on Public Defenders in counties of Luzerne County's classification functioning without a Home Rule Charter or, in the absence of such laws, by state law applicable to counties having populations closest to that of Luzerne County. The Office of Public Defender shall be headed by the Chief Public Defender who shall be appointed by the County Manager, subject to confirmation by County Council. The Chief Public Defender shall serve at the pleasure of the County Manager and be responsible directly to the County Manager.

• Have and exercise all powers and duties now or hereafter conferred upon the Public Defender by applicable law.
• Certify to the Court Administrator the eligibility for free legal counsel to indigent criminal defendants who are denied Public Defender assistance due to a conflict of interest.
• The Chief Public Defender shall have the power to direct and supervise his/her office and to appoint employees in keeping with the provisions of the County Personnel Code, other personnel policies, and the County's annual budget appropriation for this office. The Chief Public Defender may promote, discipline, suspend, and remove employees of his/her office subject to the terms and conditions of the County Personnel Code, other personnel policies, applicable labor contracts, and applicable laws.
• Directs the provision of legal defense to adults and juvenile individuals charged with crimes or are otherwise subject to the Court of Common Pleas, as well as appellate-level appeals and involuntary mental health hearings.
• Oversee and manage the Office of Public Defender to include directing staff, assignment of cases and is overall accountable for office performance and discharge of responsibility in conforming with legal requirements to include Home Rule Charter
• Fulfills office mandates and requirements to serve as defense counsel for the indigent.
• Proposes and submits for approval the Departmental Budget and manages to operate and deliver services in line with budgetary limits.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required or assigned to the Office of Public Defender

• Comprehensive knowledge of Federal, State and Local statutes, relating to the defense of indigents; Comprehensive legal research and analysis skills
• Extensive knowledge of juvenile delinquency, preliminary hearings, Habeas Corpus hearings, Trials, including pre-and post-trial motions, appellate procedures, post-conviction hearings, criminal extradition hearings, issues related to probation, parole and revocations, commitments under the Mental Health and Retardation Act, other areas where representation is constitutionally required
• Must possess a thorough knowledge of the statues, regulations, operations and structure of the local legal environment
• Must possess ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Effective management skills necessary to lead and manage complex legal environment through multiple staff of attorneys and administrative support staff
• Financial management skills necessary to develop and administer budgets.

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited Law School
• Three (3) to five (5) years in legal practice representing individuals charged with a criminal offense or juvenile delinquency
• Must be duly admitted and be a member in good standing of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience, which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.