Assistant Public Defender - Ross County
Ohio, Chillicothe, OH, United States
Overview
The Assistant Public Defender (APD) will be headquartered in the Ross County Office of our Trial Services Division. The APD will serve in the courts of Jackson County or Ross County as a trial-level attorney that provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. The APD position will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges, and will likely practice primarily in the Jackson County Common Pleas Court. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation.
The successful APD candidate will thrive in a close-knit team environment and be interested in trial-level work and providing client service in a fast-paced work environment. A successful candidate will also be eager to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and succeed in providing high-quality representation.
Essential duties
Prepare cases for trial
Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel
Represent clients in community control violations
Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
Examine witnesses
Present legal arguments and evidence
Application requirements (Note: boilerplate removed for clarity; please upload a cover letter and a writing sample with your application. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed.)
Compensation and steps Starting pay for this position will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps provide a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.
FY26 Wages
Step 1 – Hourly: $35.68; Step 1 – Annual: $74,214
Step 2 – Hourly: $37.62; Step 2 – Annual: $78,520
Step 3 – Hourly: $39.68; Step 3 – Annual: $82,534
Step 4 – Hourly: $41.82; Step 4 – Annual: $86,986
Step 5 – Hourly: $44.17; Step 5 – Annual: $91,874
Step 6 – Hourly: $46.55; Step 6 – Annual: $96,824
Step 7 – Hourly: $48.47; Step 7 – Annual: $100,818
Step 8 – Hourly: $50.75; Step 8 – Annual: $105,560
Disability accommodations and contact The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the OPD HCM Department at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.
Licensing and notes Admission to the Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01. Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme Court, counsel shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, counsel shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases. Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02.
Job Skills:
Attorney/Legal; Client Advocacy; Consultation; Building Trust; Verbal Communication; Written Communication; Analyzation
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The successful APD candidate will thrive in a close-knit team environment and be interested in trial-level work and providing client service in a fast-paced work environment. A successful candidate will also be eager to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and succeed in providing high-quality representation.
Essential duties
Prepare cases for trial
Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel
Represent clients in community control violations
Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
Examine witnesses
Present legal arguments and evidence
Application requirements (Note: boilerplate removed for clarity; please upload a cover letter and a writing sample with your application. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed.)
Compensation and steps Starting pay for this position will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps provide a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.
FY26 Wages
Step 1 – Hourly: $35.68; Step 1 – Annual: $74,214
Step 2 – Hourly: $37.62; Step 2 – Annual: $78,520
Step 3 – Hourly: $39.68; Step 3 – Annual: $82,534
Step 4 – Hourly: $41.82; Step 4 – Annual: $86,986
Step 5 – Hourly: $44.17; Step 5 – Annual: $91,874
Step 6 – Hourly: $46.55; Step 6 – Annual: $96,824
Step 7 – Hourly: $48.47; Step 7 – Annual: $100,818
Step 8 – Hourly: $50.75; Step 8 – Annual: $105,560
Disability accommodations and contact The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the OPD HCM Department at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.
Licensing and notes Admission to the Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01. Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme Court, counsel shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, counsel shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases. Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02.
Job Skills:
Attorney/Legal; Client Advocacy; Consultation; Building Trust; Verbal Communication; Written Communication; Analyzation
#J-18808-Ljbffr