ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I
Fulton County Government, Atlanta, GA, United States
Position Overview
UNCLASSIFIED POSITION
The assignment is in the Public Defender's Department.
Please refrain from attaching personal and identifiable information such as Driver’s License, Photo on Resumes, DD214, Vaccination cards, etc.
Minimum Qualifications Juris Doctorate Degree required; supplemented by one year of experience in criminal justice, and/or legal.
Must possess and maintain certification and licensure from the State Bar of Georgia.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities
Must demonstrate proficiency in performing essential functions and learning, comprehending, and applying all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively.
Requires knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws; policies and procedures governing assigned courts; and methods and techniques related to the area of assignment.
Essential Functions
Represent clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary and pretrial hearings, probation and sentencing, post‑adjudication/post‑conviction hearings, appeals, or any related courtroom proceedings.
Negotiate at all stages on behalf of the client; prepare and argue motions; conduct jury selection; make opening and closing statements; present evidence; question witnesses; make appropriate objections and arguments.
Investigate and prepare cases for hearings and trials: review discovery; interview clients; request and inspect records and evidence; review criminal histories; prepare graphics and exhibits; identify and interview witnesses and alibis; observe crime scenes; subpoena witnesses; prepare them for trial; determine need for, procure, and interview expert witnesses; assess need for psychological/psychiatric evaluation; anticipate legal issues; develop defense theory and case strategies.
Represent clients at pre‑trial conferences: secure and argue mitigating evidence; negotiate resolutions with assistant district attorneys; advise clients regarding plea offers.
Coordinate post‑adjudication/disposition/conviction follow‑up and relief: secure mitigating evidence for sentencing or restitution; review court orders and case plans; file related requests, motions and appeals; advocate for client; secure additional services.
Conduct case research and documentation: research relevant case law; interpret in relation to case facts; prepare briefs and motions; write case summaries; draft jury charges; make trial notes.
Communicate with, advise, and advocate for indigent clients: develop trusting attorney‑client relationships; explain rights, investigative and judicial processes; provide status updates.
Manage caseload: attend scheduled court appearances; create new case files; log case activities; coordinate with court administration, clients, witnesses, experts, and others.
Maintain and upgrade knowledge: attend conferences, seminars, meetings and training events; keep abreast of legal changes; participate in professional organizations.
Communicate with prosecuting attorneys, judges, investigators, legal support staff, witnesses, experts, translators, client friends and family, probation officers, supervisor, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed.
Process departmental documentation within designated timeframes and procedures: review police reports, witness statements, lab reports, criminal histories, defense motions and case law updates; prepare forms and reports; compile data; maintain records.
Perform other related duties as required.
Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization : Coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data; exercise judgment in determining time, place, or sequence of operations; reference data analysis to revise organizational components.
Human Interaction : Provide formal instruction through explanation, demonstration, and/or examination in structured settings.
Equipment/Tools Utilization : Operate, maneuver, and/or control equipment, machinery, tools, and materials used in essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude : Utilize consulting and advisory data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude : Perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division; calculate decimals and percentages; apply principles of fractions; interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning : Apply logical or synthesis functions; handle multiple variables; analyze complex planning problems.
Situational Reasoning : Exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in broader organizational programs; handle unstable situations; plan control of entire programs.
Equal Opportunity Statement It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The assignment is in the Public Defender's Department.
Please refrain from attaching personal and identifiable information such as Driver’s License, Photo on Resumes, DD214, Vaccination cards, etc.
Minimum Qualifications Juris Doctorate Degree required; supplemented by one year of experience in criminal justice, and/or legal.
Must possess and maintain certification and licensure from the State Bar of Georgia.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities
Must demonstrate proficiency in performing essential functions and learning, comprehending, and applying all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively.
Requires knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws; policies and procedures governing assigned courts; and methods and techniques related to the area of assignment.
Essential Functions
Represent clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary and pretrial hearings, probation and sentencing, post‑adjudication/post‑conviction hearings, appeals, or any related courtroom proceedings.
Negotiate at all stages on behalf of the client; prepare and argue motions; conduct jury selection; make opening and closing statements; present evidence; question witnesses; make appropriate objections and arguments.
Investigate and prepare cases for hearings and trials: review discovery; interview clients; request and inspect records and evidence; review criminal histories; prepare graphics and exhibits; identify and interview witnesses and alibis; observe crime scenes; subpoena witnesses; prepare them for trial; determine need for, procure, and interview expert witnesses; assess need for psychological/psychiatric evaluation; anticipate legal issues; develop defense theory and case strategies.
Represent clients at pre‑trial conferences: secure and argue mitigating evidence; negotiate resolutions with assistant district attorneys; advise clients regarding plea offers.
Coordinate post‑adjudication/disposition/conviction follow‑up and relief: secure mitigating evidence for sentencing or restitution; review court orders and case plans; file related requests, motions and appeals; advocate for client; secure additional services.
Conduct case research and documentation: research relevant case law; interpret in relation to case facts; prepare briefs and motions; write case summaries; draft jury charges; make trial notes.
Communicate with, advise, and advocate for indigent clients: develop trusting attorney‑client relationships; explain rights, investigative and judicial processes; provide status updates.
Manage caseload: attend scheduled court appearances; create new case files; log case activities; coordinate with court administration, clients, witnesses, experts, and others.
Maintain and upgrade knowledge: attend conferences, seminars, meetings and training events; keep abreast of legal changes; participate in professional organizations.
Communicate with prosecuting attorneys, judges, investigators, legal support staff, witnesses, experts, translators, client friends and family, probation officers, supervisor, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed.
Process departmental documentation within designated timeframes and procedures: review police reports, witness statements, lab reports, criminal histories, defense motions and case law updates; prepare forms and reports; compile data; maintain records.
Perform other related duties as required.
Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization : Coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data; exercise judgment in determining time, place, or sequence of operations; reference data analysis to revise organizational components.
Human Interaction : Provide formal instruction through explanation, demonstration, and/or examination in structured settings.
Equipment/Tools Utilization : Operate, maneuver, and/or control equipment, machinery, tools, and materials used in essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude : Utilize consulting and advisory data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude : Perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division; calculate decimals and percentages; apply principles of fractions; interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning : Apply logical or synthesis functions; handle multiple variables; analyze complex planning problems.
Situational Reasoning : Exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in broader organizational programs; handle unstable situations; plan control of entire programs.
Equal Opportunity Statement It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.
#J-18808-Ljbffr