Deputy Chief Public Defender

Essential Functions

1. The Deputy Chief Public Defender provides court appointed indigent defense services within Marquette County courts and carries a full caseload, involving the most difficult felony cases and the highest volume of felony cases, as determined by the Chief Public Defender.
2. Initiates prompt meetings with clients to assess litigation and representation goals and to discuss legal representation and development of legal strategies.
3. Reviews charging instruments, police reports, and other discovery provided by the prosecution.
4. Determines what further fact investigation to undertake and directs that investigation, determining what legal issues need development and researches those issues.
5. Drafts and argues pre-trial motions and necessary interlocutory appeals.
6. Negotiates with the prosecution and promptly advises the client of the status of the negotiations.
7. Litigation of any legal issue that is necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial.
8. Conducts any post-trial litigation, maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions; maintains accurate, complete and legible case files.
9. Maintains availability to other staff members for consultation and education; participates in training programs; maintains current knowledge of appropriate support functions. Provides mentoring, support, education, work direction, and leadership for staff attorneys including maintaining legal and MIDC standards; providing guidance for difficult legal concepts and developing legal strategy; and serving as co-counsel while staff attorneys are preparing for and conducting hearings and trials.
10. Attends continuing education and maintains current knowledge of emerging legal concepts to comply with MIDC standards and to remain effective in the mentoring and guidance of staff attorneys.
11. Develops and implements office policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with MIDC standards and Marquette County requirements and to improve quality of legal services provided.
12. Assists the Chief Public Defender with administrative functions including personnel issues, financial matters, and the annual budget.
13. In the absence of the Chief Public Defender, provides oversight, direction, and leadership of the office including staff attorneys, administrative and secretarial staff, and contractors. May attend administrative, legal, and community meeting and MIDC conferences and functions.
14. Performs attorney functions, other duties, and special projects, as assigned by the Chief Public Defender or designee.