Assistant Public Defender

Agency

Indigent Defense Services

Division

PUBLIC DEFENDER 13 DISTRICT

Job Classification Title

Assistant Public Defender (NS)

Position Number

65039796

Grade

30013288

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $60,000.00 - $90,000.00

The Office of the Public Defender, District 13, is seeking multiple, qualified individuals to serve as an Assistant Public Defender. The selected candidate will represent indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in District and Superior Court. This position, specifically, is to help handle high level felony cases in Johnston County.

Come join the District 13 Public Defeder’s Office as an Assistant Public Defender and experience all that Johnston County has to offer! As one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina, Johnston County is uniquely situated at the crossroads of Interstate 40 and Interstate 95 allowing one to be at the beach in 2 hours or in the mountains in 4.5 hours. Johnston County has historically been known as a rural county, but the changing landscape is bringing in local breweries and award-winning restaurants. The county seat of Johnston County, Smithfield, is only a 30-minute drive to the State Capital of Raleigh, where one can enjoy all the perks of city living, including museums, designer shopping districts and an international airport!

All Assistant Public Defenders must be capable of handling difficult cases and clients, while maintaining positive professional relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public. Attorneys are expected to visit clients at the jail and in prison facilities.

As public service employees, it is strongly encouraged that all Assistant Public Defenders engage in community service projects and participate in outreach programs relevant to the services we are providing.

This office opened in July 2024, is centrally located within the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield. We are looking for hard working, self-initiating attorneys willing to not only zealously advocate for their clients but with a client-centered, holistic approach to advocacy in mind. This position will include CLE opportunities, an annual Public Defender Conference, access to a variety of trainings, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and access to expert forensic resources to support you with the work you will do to defend indigent clients.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advocating for client's rights and interests prior to and during court proceedings, hearings, and trials.  This includes conducting legal research, preparing legal documents, developing defense strategies, assisting in investigating cases and gathering evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting evidence in court.

• Staying informed about relevant laws, regulations, and legal precedents.

• Collaborating with other legal professionals, including colleagues within the public defender's office, investigators, and support staff.

• Handling administrative tasks related to caseload management, document preparation, and other responsibilities within the public defender's office.

• Maintaining open and effective communication with clients to keep them informed about their cases, explain legal options, and address their concerns.  Also, maintaining communication to better understand your client's unique situation and build a strong defense on your client's behalf.

• Adhering to ethical standards and legal responsibilities in the practice of law.

• The District 13 Public Defender Office strives to create a diverse staff with expertise and interest in serving our indigent clients who come to us with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, and disabilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES:

Knowledge of: Federal, State, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; and legal research methods.

Skills in: strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organization.

Ability to: analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner.

Supplemental and Contact Information

INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings.

It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.

*NOTE* Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.

Carefully review the FAQs if you experience difficulty with the application process or attaching documents.

All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

Charmaine Leeks

NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Human Resources Division

http://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.

Also seeking experienced attorneys with at least 1 year of criminal law experience and has tried at least 1 jury trial to verdict.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Charmaine James Leeks

Email:

[email protected]