El Dorado County Accepting Applications: DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I/II/III/IV

The County of El Dorado is conducting this recruitment to fill two (2) full-time vacancies for the Public Defender's office one (1) located in Placerville and one (1) located in South Lake Tahoe.  It will also establish a list, good for up to six months, which may be used to fill future full-time, part-time and extra-help vacancies at these locations.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs legal work of a routine to complex nature; provides public defense and legal services for court-appointed cases.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a multi-level class in which incumbents may be assigned to any of four levels, depending upon experience, proficiency gained, and the complexity of assigned cases.  The work may be related to any of a number of criminal areas and involves providing legal defense for indigent court-referred clients.  Involvement in formal litigation, discretionary powers, and direction of the work of other professional staff increase as incumbent's progress through the various levels.  Deputy Public Defender IV is considered to be the highest-level non-supervisory class, fully capable of working independently in any number of complex areas.  While expertise may be gained in a specialized area, incumbents may direct or assist with the defense of others from pretrial through appeal stages.  These classes are distinguished from Chief Assistant Public Defender in that the latter is a full supervisory class with responsibility for a major Public Defender's office and may act for the Public Defender on a relief basis.
 

Prepares the defense for court-referred clients in a variety of misdemeanor, felony and juvenile cases. 

Confers with clients advising them of charges and legal rights; reviews police reports and explains legal procedures; arranges for the release of in-custody clients if possible; explores potential admission to state mental health facilities; 

Conducts pretrial case preparation, legal research and necessary investigation; coordinates investigative activities with Public Defender investigator staff. 

Appears at pre-trials, trials, arraignments, revocation and bail hearings, and preliminary, intervention and conservator ship hearings to represent clients. 

Prepares suppression motions, motions to dismiss, motions to withdraw a plea, appellate briefs, and motions for judicial recommendation against deportation. 

Investigates and prepares responses to prosecution claims; negotiates with prosecution attorneys for case disposition or modification. 

Performs trial work including jury selection, examination and cross-examination and argument of the defense case.  

Prepares a variety of legal documentation, including reports, correspondence and opinions related to client cases. 

Maintains accurate records and files and compile reports of work performed.

Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on public defense activities and recommends appropriate action.
 
Attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.

Performs other duties as assigned,

Where college degrees and/or college course credits are required, degrees and college units must be obtained from an accredited college or university. Courses from non-accredited institutions will not be evaluated for this requirement.

Level I: Equivalent to gradation from a four-year college or university, PLUS an appropriate law degree.

Level II: In addition to the above, one year of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal defense.

Level III: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience (for a total of three years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal defense.

Level IV: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience (for a total of five years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in the area of criminal defense.  Demonstrated increased ability to successfully defend complex and high penalty cases with a minimum of supervision is required for advancement to the level of Deputy Public Defender IV.

NOTE:   The above qualifications are typically accepted way of obtaining the required knowledge and skills.