Public Defender

Description:

Statement on Remote Work Policy – Mono County, California

“Mono County does not allow fully remote positions. All employees are required to perform their job duties in person at their designated work location(s) to ensure adherence to Mono County policies, state labor laws, applicable tax regulations, and operational requirements. Requests for intermittent remote work may be considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the approval of both departmental management and Human Resources.”

Description:
This is not a remote position.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This Position, Which Serves at The Will of The Mono County Board of Supervisors, Is Responsible for Managing the Indigent Defense Program in Mono County. It Is Not Anticipated, nor Authorized without Explicit Board of Supervisors Consent, that The Incumbent in This Position Will Litigate Cases on Behalf of Indigent Individuals.

Classifications Supervised:
Support Staff.

Examples of Duties:
Essential Duties and Responisbilities(the Following Is Used as A Partial Description and Is Not Restrictive as To Duties Required.)

• Administers and Directs a Program of Legal Counseling and Representation for Persons Accused of Violations of Criminal Law, Juveniles Brought Before the Juvenile Court, and Persons Undergoing Involuntary Commitment Proceedings for Mental Illness, Drug Addiction, or Alcoholism.
• Responsible for The Creation of The Standards, Policies, Training, Procedures and Data Collection for The Public Defender's Office.
• Monitors and Manages the Performance of Contracted Public Defenders.
• Assists in The Hiring and Evaluation of Professional and Support Staff.
• Plans, Organizes, Directs and Manages Staff and Contracted Public Defenders Engaged in Providing Legal Defense Services to The Public in Accordance with Policies, Procedures and Applicable Laws Including Interviewing, Hiring, Training, Mentoring; Assigning and Directing Work; Providing Information, Feedback, or Assistance; Appraising Performance; Addressing Complaints and Resolving Problems.
• Supervises Contract Attorneys Who Will Take Appropriate Steps to Provide Effective Legal Defense Services in Criminal Court, Juvenile Delinquency Court, Conservatorships, and Child Welfare Proceedings, Including Advising on Proper Pleas, Investigation, Research, Motions, Pretrial Hearings, Preliminary Hearings, Negotiations, Trials and Sentencing.
• Directs the Preparation and Administration of The Office's Annual Budget.
• Seeks and Oversees the Application for Grants and Other State or Federal Aid that May Become Available.
• Makes Annual, and As Necessary, Presentations to The Board of Supervisors.
• Acts as The Primary Representative of The Public Defender's Office in Contacts with The Public, Community Organizations, Law Enforcement Agencies, Criminal Justice Partnerships, and Other Government Jurisdictions.
• Serves as Liaison with Judges and Other Representatives of The Court, the County's District Attorney Office, Probation Department, and Other County Departments, and Law Enforcement Agencies.
• Confers with Defense and Prosecution Attorneys, Probation Authorities, Investigators, Court Officials, Mental Health Professionals, Agencies Providing Services to Clients, and Law Enforcement Agencies to Discuss Diversion Programs, Alternatives to Traditional Models of Prosecution and Other Cross-Departmental Collaborative Projects to Improve Community Safety.
• Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned.

Typical Qualifications:
Desireable Qualifications
Knowledge Of:

• Practice of Indigent Defense, Criminal Law, Child Welfare, Conservatorships.
• Legal Research and Writing.
• Motions and Trial Practice.
• Ethical Duties of Indigent Defense Counsel.
• Effective Supervision Techniques.
• Labor Law as It Relates to Personnel.
• Budget Effectiveness and Efficiency.
• Modern Case Management Applications or Systems.
• Grant Applications, Monitoring, Reporting, and Data Collection.
• Excellent Customer Service Skills.
• Excellent Organizational Skills and Attention to Detail.
• Excellent Time Management Skills with A Proven Ability to Meet Deadlines.
• Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills.
• Strong Supervisory and Leadership Skills.
• Ability to Prioritize Tasks and To Delegate Them when Appropriate.
• Ability to Function Well in A High-Paced and At Times Stressful Environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or Related Software.

Ability To:

• Practice and Manage Indigent Defense, Criminal Law, Child Welfare, Conservatorships.
• Perform Superior Legal Research and Writing.
• Advise and Draft Motions and Engage in Trial Practice.
• Understand and Communicate Ethical Duties of Indigent Defense Counsel.
• Employ Superior Supervision Techniques.
• Understand and Deploy Labor Law as It Relates to Personnel.
• Craft and Monitor a Budget Effectively and Efficiently.
• Implement Modern Case Management Applications or Systems.
• Draft Grant Applications, Monitoring, Reporting, and Data Collection.
• Implement the Duties and Responsibilities Included in This Job Posting.

Training and Experience:
Any Combination of Training and Experience Which Would Likely Provide the Required Knowledge and Abilities Is Qualifying. a Typical Way to Obtain the Required Knowledge and Abilities Would Be:

• Education: Possession of A Juris Doctor Degree from An American Bar Association Accredited Institution.
• Experience: At Least 5 Years in The Full-Time Practice of Law. Experience in Criminal Law Practice, Particularly in Criminal Defense Practice.
• Certifications/licenses: A Member in Good Standing of The California Bar Association.

Special Requirements:

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