POSITION & RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary purpose of a public defender is to provide zealous holistic representation of clients in criminal, delinquency or child protection cases.
This is a non-classified position that reports to the Managing Attorney of the office or their designee.
Please note your office preference/s in your cover letter – Boise, Pocatello, Hailey, Sandpoint, Idaho Falls, Caldwell, Burley, Gooding, Rigby, Coeur d’Alene, American Falls, and/or Twin Falls.
Example of Duties
Defends indigent persons including adults in criminal cases, juveniles in delinquency cases and parents and children in child protection cases;
Represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, sentencing, dispositions, probation violations and other proceedings;
Interviews clients and prospective witnesses;
Prepares or oversees the drafting of motions, briefs, memoranda, pleadings and other legal papers;
Conducts or directs legal research and analyses data and legal documents;
Applies case law, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Rules of Evidence and Constitutional principles;
Reviews and synthesizes discovery;
Interviews clients early and frequently and makes decisions concerning such things as bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial;
Determines the need for expert witnesses; locates appropriate experts and schedules them for trial if needed;
Negotiates with prosecutors to reach plea agreements when appropriate;
Consults with and works with social workers, mitigation specialists and investigators to develop work plans and defense and litigation strategies, access to support services and treatment programs for clients;
Works in the Case Management System (CMS) to document case work and timekeeping in accordance with SPD policy;
Works under the Litigation Director and District Public Defender to ensure effective representation and compliance with SPD policies and procedures and the Idaho State Bar Rules of Professional Conduct;
Practices vertical representation in all cases;
Follows the American Bar Association (ABA) standards for defending attorneys delivering indigent defense; and
Other duties as assigned by the Litigation Director or his designee.