About the Position of Attorney I, II, & III at the Office of the Public Defender:
The Attorney I, II, III will perform civil and criminal legal work involved in the prosecution of criminal case, litigate paternity and child support cases, and provide legal defense of indigents and other eligibles. The difference in levels depends on the amount and type of experience. Those beginning at the Attorney I level will perform the less difficult cases and assignments while learning their respective duties and responsibilities. As experience, knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired and utilized, the degree and complexity of assignments will correspondingly increase to the Attorney II and III levels. The Attorney III will handle the more difficult and complex assignments.
Examples of duties may include:
Interview applicants for public defense and determine eligibility.
Advise clients on legal rights.
Appear with and for defendant at all court hearings.
Decide on and make appropriate legal motions and pleas, and other legal action on behalf of client.
Represent alleged mentally ill, drug addicted, and other applicants for public defense before and during hearing for commitment.
Order investigations and subpoenas.
May defend indigent defendants in civil litigations to the extent required by law.
Dictate correspondence and prepare reports.
Perform other related duties as required.
Additionally, an attorney may be responsible for “specialty areas”; such as, paternity and child support, consumer fraud, planning and zoning violations, environmental cases, and violations of the Fair Political Practices Act. These are areas which can be consolidated for countywide prosecution, and which demand a uniform and consistent approach.