Public Defender Investigator

SALARY GRADE:  Flat Rated
The Office of the Public Defender, District 5, seeks a qualified individual to assist lawyers and staff with the investigative duties needed to defend criminal and juvenile cases, and to defend parents in cases initiated by the Department of Social Services.  We are looking for a motivated individual who is excited about working in the criminal justice system to assist indigent clients.
The work involves cases assigned to the District 5 Public Defender's Office at the New Hanover County location in Wilmington, NC, however, there may be occasions when it is necessary to report to the Pender County Office.  Hours of employment are 8:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday - Friday.  Occasional weekend and evening hours may be required, depending upon the circumstances of casework.  All employees of the Public Defender Office are expected to volunteer and participate in events which are designed to promote the office goals and/or aid indigent clients.
Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Locate and interview clients and witnesses, investigate cases as directed by attorneys and staff, collect information used to verify evidence or to substantiate innocence.
• Visit clients and witnesses in jail, prison or at their homes and locations convenient to them to conduct interviews, prepare written reports and document all investigation for counsel and other members of the defense team.
• Determine relevant facts, opinions, or background information from clients and witnesses and evaluate information with the assigned attorney.
• Photograph, measure, and draw locations and crime scenes to scale to determine its relationship to the physical evidence.
• Review police reports, phone records, dash/body/traffic camera footage and evaluate their relevance to the case and prepare a report for the defense team regarding the same.
• Research criminal histories of defendants, witnesses, and potential jurors.
• Ensure appearance of witnesses at time of trial and assist in witness preparation.
• Assist counsel with facts of the case during trial.
• Conduct special investigations as directed.
• Willingness to do non-investigative work as needed and directed by office staff, including but not limited to answering phones, collecting mail and documents from the courthouse and district attorney's office, coordinating clothes for client court appearances, and assisting with case assignment and client communication.
• Conduct internet research, including research of various social media sites and other sources of information.

Knowledge Required:  Investigator must have knowledge of, or be capable of learning, basic criminal law and local criminal and civil court procedures; be skilled in the use of computers and technology, including software programs; have an extensive understanding of social media and methods for finding and locating information and people through social media searches; knowledgeable with general office software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe, and easily capable of learning other office software programs.
Skill Required:  Use of computers, copy machines, fax machines, and other office technology; capable of typing reports and completing other digital documents and forms; must be able to effectively communicate with people of diverse backgrounds both orally and in writing, and capable of testifying in court.
Ability To: Investigator must be meticulous in all aspects of his/her work.  Must be a dependable and self-initiated employee, and extremely organized with the ability to approach the investigation of complex cases to independently develop leads; willing to work irregular hours, when needed; capable of analyzing facts and circumstances to develop logical case theories.  Investigator must inspire the confidence of the community as a representative of the Public Defender Office.
 

Graduation from a four year college or university, preferably in the field of law, criminal justice, psychology, or sociology, and one (1) year of experience in legal, judicial, law enforcement or investigative work. An associate degree with three (3) years of experience in the above-mentioned fields may substitute for the four-year college degree requirement. Other combinations of education and experience that provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered for applicants who do not have the above education requirements.
Management prefers applicants with an investigator's license (NC Justice Academy Criminal Investigative Certificate or private protective services license).
 

INSTRUCTIONS:
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