Assistant Public Defender

Closing Date: 1st April, 2024

Description:

About Us:
York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement - York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

The 16th Circuit Public Defender Office provides legal representation qualifying individuals charged with criminal offenses in York and Union County, S.C.

Compensation: Compensation is determined based on experience and education using a tier system.

Location: York County Office and Union County Office

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains and manages individual caseloads in a timely and effective manner.
• Defends cases in all applicable County, Magistrate, and/or Municipal Courts.
• Prepares cases for defense, performing such duties as reviewing incident reports and evidence, evaluating cases and determining best case strategies; conducting preliminary hearings; interviewing witnesses, maintaining confidential communication with clients, researching legal issues affecting cases; applying the law to facts of a criminal case; advocating for an appropriate sentence; writing legal briefs, motions, and orders; preparing expert witnesses for testimony; trials, and any other duties necessary to provide a full and complete defense of a client.
• Presents and argues prepared cases in court as assigned, which requires the ability to drive to County courthouses.
• Conducts various other hearings, including those for juvenile detention, disposition and probation revocation; mental health, restitution, bond estreatment, hearings, and any other hearings necessary for a full and complete defense of a client.
• Notifies defendants and bondsmen of court appearances.
• Receives and responds to difficult and sensitive client or public inquiries, concerns and complaints.
• Performs general administrative/clerical work as required, including but not limited to copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, assembling materials, answering the telephone, responding to correspondence, and reviewing mail and literature.
• Operates a computer and various types of word processing, database, imaging and messaging software; operates basic office equipment.
• Keeps abreast of all new criminal legislation and case law which affects York County cases.
• Attends professional conferences, training, seminars, workshops, etc., as necessary to maintain job knowledge and skills.
• Frequently works schedules exceeding 40 hours per week and/or five days per week.
• Performs related work as assigned.

About You:
Education and Experience Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate Degree.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Valid state driver's license.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of South Carolina and be a current member of the SC Bar Association.

Physical Demands:

• Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

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