Deputy Public Defender II

Description:

Who We Are:
A Government Entity Office of The Public Defender Is the Finest Client-Centered Criminal Defense Firm in The Nation, Providing a Beacon for Evolutionary and Revolutionary Changes in The Justice System. Our Offices Are Headed by Innovative and Progressive Leaders Collaboratively Working Towards Our Agency's Mission of Reducing the Incarceration Rate for Our Indigent Clientele.
What Does a Deputy Public Defender Do?
As a Deputy Public Defender (dpd) Ii, You Will Perform Legal Work of Average Difficulty Including Handling Complex Misdemeanor Cases and Less Complex Felony Cases Assigned to The Office. You Will Report to Higher-Level Attorney Staff While Maintaining Greater Independence than The Trainee-Level Dpd I Classification. Additionally, as A Dpd Ii, You May Represent the Defense of Juvenile Clients in Adjudication Hearings in Juvenile Court, Which Are Not Considered Criminal and Do Not Involve a Jury.
No Withholds Will Be Allowed for This Examination. Required Experience/education Must Be Fully Met at The Time of Filing, and Indicated on The Application.
Our Ideal Team Member
Do You Hold Our Shared Values of Advocacy, Zealously Working to Meet the Needs of Our Clients; Compassion, Listening To, Respecting Life Experiences, and Telling the Stories of Our Clients; Dedication to Indigent Defense and Collaboration, and Working with Stakeholders to Achieve Our Clients' Goals?
Essential Job Functions:
Essential Job Functions Include but May Not Be Limited To:

• Represents Indigent Defendants at Various Stages of A Criminal Case by Writing Legal Motions; Arguing Motions in Court; Engaging in Negotiation Discussions with Judges, Prosecutors, Etc.; Listening to Information Presented at Trial and Comparing It to Pretrial Information; Making Objections at Hearings or At Trial; Cross-Examining and Examining Witnesses to Defend the Client; Presenting Witness and Evidence on Behalf of The Client; and Preparing Closing Arguments to Persuade the Trier of Fact of The Merits of The Case in Order to Protect the Client's Constitutional Rights; Find Inconsistencies in Witnesses' Statements; and Advise Clients of The Appropriate Course of Action to Be Taken in Their Defense.
• Interviews a Variety of Individuals Regarding Criminal Case Matters by Researching and Reviewing Pertinent Information, Putting the Interviewee at Ease and Building Rapport, Communicating and Comprehending Information Both Verbally and In Writing, and Using Effective Interviewing Techniques in Order to Determine Eligibility for Representation; Gather Important Information for Cases, Resolution, and Legal Documents; Find Inconsistencies Between Witness Testimony and Accounts; and Decide What Defense Strategies Are Most Viable Leading to Positive Outcomes for The Client.
• Advises Clients at Each Stage of The Case by Initially Discussing the Alleged Crime with The Client; Reviewing Witness Statements, Police Reports, Etc. with The Client and Explaining Legal or Technical Terminology in Layman's Terms; Evaluating the Strength or Weakness of The Case; and Discussing Possible Actions to Take in Court and Evaluating Alternatives; in Order to Ensure that The Client Understands the Legal Process as It Pertains to Their Case; and Provide a Recommendation Regarding What Is in The Client's Best Interest.
• Prepares Criminal Cases by Conducting Legal Research; Examining Legal Documents; Reviewing Electronic Evidence; Preparing Investigation Requests; Preparing, Drafting, and Reviewing Legal Documents, Motions, and Correspondences; Maintaining and Properly Documenting Case Files; Appointing and Utilizing Expert Witnesses; Interviewing and Preparing Witnesses; and Preparing Questions to Ask Potential Jurors; in Order to Effectively Represent Clients; and Decide What Defense Strategies Are Most Viable Leading to Positive Outcomes for The Client.
• Confers with A Variety of Individuals by Meeting and Discussing Details of A Client's Court Case, Presenting a Clear and Persuasive Case on Behalf of The Client, and Working with Neutral or Opposing Parties to Find Common Ground in Order to Gather Important Case Information, Negotiating Case Resolutions, and Determining the Best Course of Action that Should Be Taken on Behalf of The Client.

Requirements:
Requirements:

• Have One Year of Experience in The Practice of Criminal Law at The Level of Our Office's Deputy Public Defender (dpd) I* Position -And- Be Admitted to And Is an Active Licensee with The California Bar Association to Practice Law in All Courts in California.
• Experience at The Level of A Dpd I Is Typically Gained as An Attorney by Participating in The Litigation of Criminal Misdemeanor and Less Complex Felony Cases, Including Conducting (misdemeanor) Jury Trials, Case Management, Conducting Preliminary and Contested Hearings, and Participating in All Stages of Criminal Trial Practice (writing Motions, Consultation, Etc.).
  

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