Deputy Public Defender I

Compensation: $70,720.00 - $84,156.80 annually DOE

Application Period Ends: Open until filled

Application Must Include: Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Sample

General Statement of Duties

Under direction, to perform the full range of professional legal work in civil and criminal defense; to defend cases before any court within the state; and to do other work as required.

Classification Summary

This is a multi-level class series in which applicants may be assigned to any of 4 levels, depending on organizational needs, professional legal experience, individual expertise and skill, proficiency, and complexity of assigned caseload. Positions in these classes are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level. Progression from one level to the next is at the discretion of the appointing authority, provided minimum qualifications are met.

Positions within the Class:

Rule 226 Provisional Deputy is the pre-entry level in the Deputy Public Defender (DPD) series, assigned to recent law school graduates studying for the Bar Exam and holding under Idaho Bar Commission Rule 226 a limited license to practice law under the supervision of a qualified attorney. These provisional applicants must be supervised at all times and are hired under the condition that they are taking or have taken the most recent State of Idaho Bar Exam.

Deputy Public Defender I is the entry level in the (DPD) series, assigned to employees with limited previous legal experience who are fully licensed to practice law in the State of Idaho and have practiced between zero (0) to six (6) years of law. This class typically ranges from representing clients under immediate supervision to more independent representation of clients charged with criminal, juvenile, and child-protection matters.

Deputy Public Defender II is assigned to attorneys with at least seven (7) to fourteen (14) years legal experience. Under general supervision, employees at this level perform work of average difficulty in all phases of criminal, quasi-criminal, and limited civil practice.

Deputy Public Defender III is the full journey level assigned to employees with the equivalent of fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years legal experience. Employees at this level are assigned increasing difficult and complex cases and should require limited instruction or assistance.

Deputy Public Defender IV is the advanced journey level assigned to employees with the equivalent of at least twenty-one (21) years’ experience. Employees at this level are generally assigned the most difficult and sensitive cases, are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the CCPD, and require only occasional instruction or assistance as necessary.

Examples of Work (Illustrative Only)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interviews applicants for public defense and determines eligibility; advises and counsels defendants on legal rights and procedures; appears with and for defendants at court hearings. Perform related duties as required.
• Decides on and makes appropriate legal motions and pleas, and takes other legal action on behalf of clients; conducts the trial defense for clients; orders investigations and subpoenas.
• Negotiates with prosecuting authorities regarding the disposition or modification of charges in specific cases.
• When warranted, argues the merits of probation for defendants; prepares appeals, writs, and other legal documents on behalf of defendants; dictates correspondence and prepares reports.
• Prepares and presents evidence and arguments for the defense of difficult felony cases involving multiple defendants and multiple charges, and having serious consequences of error, or a high degree of public interest.
• Trains and consults with other attorneys on points of law, evidence, and legal procedures; may assign, review, and evaluate the work of other deputies in the litigation of civil, misdemeanor, and felony cases.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts outreach and advise the general public on criminal practice and issues of community concern, including the rights of victims, complainants, and witnesses;
• Directs the planning, implementation, and evaluation of specialized projects.
• Exercises direct supervision over attorney, investigators, and support staff in accordance with Office policies and procedures;
• Participates in interview and evaluation and training of employees;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Criminal and civil law;
• Court systems, procedures and protocols in the State of Idaho;
• Local, state, and federal rules of criminal and civil procedure;
• Rules of Evidence;
• Principles and techniques of legal research;
• Current technology and trends in legal practice;
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette.

Ability to:

• Analyze and apply legal principles and practices to case-specific facts;
• Interpret laws and regulations;
• Evaluate complex criminal cases;
• Perform legal research;
• Work under pressure within strict timeframes and a heavy caseload;
• Work independently and as a team member;
• Screen, prepare, organize, and defend criminal and quasi-criminal cases;
• Interview witnesses and complainants;
• Prepare motions, orders, pleadings, and other legal documents;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly, logically, and persuasively, orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, employees, the public, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, defense bar, and judiciary, representing diverse cultures and backgrounds;
• Exercise appropriate professional judgment in answering questions, releasing information, charging and resolving cases;
• Operate specialized case management and tracking system and general computer system;
• Supervise, lead, and delegate tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school;
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in all State and Federal courts in Idaho.

Special Qualifications

• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation.
• Idaho Driver’s License.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform essential duties and accurately with or without reasonable accommodation and without endangering self or other employees. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and drive; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear;
• Sufficient clarify of speech and writing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review and prepare a variety of written and text materials, file them in a prescribed order, and organize documents and materials;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate personal computer and other office equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility, agility, strength, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work at a keyboard for an extended period of time; to reach, stoop, bend, and stretch in filing materials, lift up to 25 pounds, and work in an office and courtroom environment.

EOE Statement

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.