What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Assistant Public Defender position at Rockdale County, Georgia?
Job Summary
The Senior Assistant Public Defender carries out assignments given him/her by the Public Defender or the Court, relative to the responsibilities and obligations of the Public Defender’s Office. The purpose of this job is to assist in the supervision, direction, and management of the day-day-day activities of the Public Defender’s Office. The direction received is very general and focuses on end results. The Senior Assistant Public Defender performs at the full professional level with significant legal and/or prosecutorial experience. Work is performed within the guidelines of the State of Georgia and Federal Constitutions and Georgia State Law. Work is assigned by the Public Defender or Chief Assistant Public Defender in terms of department goals, objectives, and priorities.
Essential Functions
Essential Functions: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.
Assists Public Defender in training and overseeing other Assistant Public Defenders and routinely provides training and/or project leadership to administrative and support staff.
Supervising, training, and staff attorneys during court sessions; serving as office liaison for court-related matters during court sessions.
Evaluating the courtroom performance of assistant public defenders for the completion of quarterly performance reports; evaluating cases; preparing and providing legal representation for indigent defendants tried in the assigned court.
Reviews recent developments in the law; and briefing all staff attorneys in regard to current changes and developments.
Research, draft, and presents oral arguments of pre-trial motions and/or of legal memoranda; Drafts correspondence to County District Attorney.
Participates in trials, jury, and non-jury of a felony, misdemeanor, and/or violation offenses.
May act as a liaison for related matters during court sessions for court-related matters.
Confers with attorneys, victims/witnesses, police officers, correctional officers, medical examiners, prosecutors, judges, and others as necessary to provide legal representation to indigent defendants. Confers with clients, the general public, and others as necessary to answer questions, provide information, or otherwise provide assistance regarding court proceedings.
Gathers and analyzes evidence in the case and reviews pertinent decisions, policies, regulations, and other legal matters pertaining to the case.
Research client’s criminal history; conducts pre-trial conferences/interviews with the client and/or witnesses to gather facts, evaluates cases, and prepares legal defense.
Acts as legal counsel for clients in preliminary hearings and trials in Municipal Court.
Attends line-ups and custodial questioning of the defendant conducted by the police and other law enforcement officials.
Serves as legal counsel for indigent defendants in bond hearings and habeas corpus proceedings in the Superior Court.
Prepares letters, reports, and other documents and performs other administrative duties as necessary.
Additional Duties:
An employee in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by proper authority.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of criminal law applicable to Federal, State, and local criminal laws and related practices, policies, and procedures.
Comprehensive knowledge of criminal court procedures and of the rules of evidence; a high degree of skill in the preparation of briefs, and in the presentation of defense before a jury.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of the county and the operations and functions of the criminal justice system, especially the court system, and Public Defender's Office.
Ability to analyze, appraise and apply legal principles, facts, and precedent to legal problems.
Ability to compile, organize, prepare, and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations.
Ability to oversee and fairly evaluate the work performance of other professional staff members; ability to plan and supervise the work of others.
ability to convey clearly and accurately procedures and policies in training situations with staff attorneys.
ability to interact effectively with other professional and non-professional personnel.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to recognize the inherent need for confidentiality.
Working Conditions
Normal office conditions. Work is typically performed in an office or court setting. Potential problems may exist with clients exposed to stressful situations.
Minimum Qualifications
1) Law degree.
2) Licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia.
3) Five (5) years of public defender law experience, which includes experience supervising/managing people in a law setting.
