Training / Felony Attorney (Attorney IV-V)

About the Opportunity

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Stanislaus Public Defender is dedicated to treating clients with dignity and humanity, alternatives to incarceration, zealously fighting for clients' rights and systemic change. We aim to drastically reduce the harms of the criminal legal system for our clients by using all existing litigation tools and constitutional protections. In the past year, we have served more than 10,000 clients, a majority of whom are Latinx. Our team is small but mighty. And we need dedicated attorneys to continue our good work. The Public Defender's Office is recruiting for an attorney with excellent litigation skills and experience in training newer attorneys. The Training Attorney will be responsible for creating a training program for misdemeanor and felony attorneys to educate public defenders on best practices for litigating everything from new laws to bail motions, preliminary hearings and trials. The training attorney will also carry a reduced felony caseload.

This recruitment is to fill one (1) full-time vacancy but will be used to establish an eligible list for future full-time and part-time vacancies.

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• Professional Development expenses reimbursed up to $900 each County fiscal year;
• Yearly state bar dues will be paid by the County; AND
• Paid professional leave up to 60 hours per year.

Typical Tasks

• Organize live trainings for the entire office regarding new laws.
• Coordinate practical skills trainings for newer attorneys.
• Mentor and advise attorneys during their first trials.
• Assist felony attorneys by training them in motions practice and preliminary hearing skills.
• Train experienced attorneys in how to litigate "life" cases, including homicides and sex cases.
• Handle all aspects of client representation in felony cases including case preparation including interviewing clients, directing investigation, motions practice, negotiations, trials and sentencing.
• Interview and advise clients or individuals as to their constitutional rights and other pertinent information relevant to existing criminal charges or prospective criminal complaints;
• Advise clients on legal rights;
• Analyze case material, initiate investigations and interview witnesses, local authorities and others having information or testimony essential to the development and presentation of the defense;
• Conduct legal research as required;
• Study, interpret and incorporate laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases;
• Perform legal research pertinent to the work of the Public Defender's Office;
• Appear in court and represent clients at court hearings;
• Confer with prosecuting staff, probation authorities and court officials to discuss pleas, modification of charges, presentation and examination of documents and material prior to trials; and
• Prepare and submit documents regarding application for probation, appeal of court findings, writs and other legal documents on behalf of defendants.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

• Prosecute/defend all felony cases; and
• Track and document statistical data.

• Competently defend/prosecute all cases including homicides;
• Willingness to defend/prosecute capital cases;
• Assume the full range of responsibilities relating to the office;
• Apply knowledge previously learned in Level I, II III and IV; and
• Advanced legal research and writing.

• One (1) year experience as an Attorney III or equivalent; AND
• Pass California State Bar and possess valid bar license; AND
• Must complete and pass background investigation at time of initial hire.

• One (1) year experience as an Attorney IV or equivalent; AND
• Pass California State Bar and possess valid bar license; AND
Other
• - Complete and pass background investigation at time of initial hire.

Application and Selection Procedures

• 
  Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.