Assistant Public Defender I

JOB SUMMARY

Attorney providing professional legal representation to indigent adults charged with crime and to children in delinquency proceedings.

Practice in magisterial district court, court of common pleas, and Pennsylvania appellate courts.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Supervision received directly from an Assistant Public Defender Manager with oversight from the First Deputy and Chief Public Defender.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. IN-COURT REPRESENTATION

Provide competent and effective legal representation to adult defendants and to allegedly delinquent children in the following court proceedings :

a. preliminary hearings in magisterial district court for adults charged with homicide, felony offenses, misdemeanor offenses.

b. trials in magisterial district court for summary offenses in which incarceration is a likely punishment.

c. jury and non-jury trials in the court of common pleas for adults charged with homicide, felony offenses, and misdemeanor offenses.

d. pre-trial hearings, guilty plea hearings, and sentencing hearings in the court of common pleas for adults charged with homicide, felony offenses, and misdemeanor offenses.

e. parole / probation violation hearings in the court of common pleas.

f. administrative parole violation hearings initiated by the Pennsylvania Parole Board.

g. Post-Conviction Relief Act hearings in the court of common pleas.

h. proceedings under the Protection from Abuse Act in the court of common pleas.

i. representation of adults in the court of common pleas in miscellaneous matters : support contempt hearings; bench warrant court;

fines & costs hearings; summary appeal hearings; Drug Court; Mental Health Court; Veterans Court; and

ARD Court.

j. adjudicatory and dispositional hearings in the court of common pleas for children in juvenile delinquency cases.

k. detention hearings in the Youth Intervention Center for children in juvenile delinquency cases.

l. post-dispositional review hearings for children in juvenile delinquency cases.

m. direct appeal of any of the above matters in the Pennsylvania appellate courts.

2. OUT-OF-COURT REPRESENTATION

Provide competent and effective legal representation to adult defendants and to allegedly delinquent children in the following out-of-court activities :

a. communicate with client in various settings : live office interviews; prison interviews; telephone calls; and letters.

b. communicate with client's family, loved-ones, doctors, teachers, social workers.

c. perform factual investigation individually or coordinate factual investigation with Public Defender investigative staff.

d. review file materials, including all police reports, witness statements, expert reports, and medical records.

e. coordinate the involvement of defense expert either hired by Public Defender or appointed by the court.

f. perform legal research.

g. prepare legal documents for filing in the court of common pleas and the Pennsylvania appellate courts.

h. prepare oral presentations for the court proceedings identified above at Essential Job Function #1.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

1. Prepare reports to Chief Public Defender as directed.

2. Enter data into the office's computerized case management system.

3. Complete continuing legal education in order to maintain license to practice law, to maintain death penalty certification, and to enhance overall legal knowledge.

4. Serve as member of sitting committees and ad hoc committees as directed by Chief Public Defender or as requested by the court.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Baccalaureate degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science).

2. Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.

3. License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Commitment to providing a high level of professional service to indigent adults charged with crime and to children in delinquency proceedings.

Ability to communicate with clientele, opposing counsel, judges, court-related personnel, prison personnel, and witnesses.

REQUIRED LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS / CLEARANCES

• License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the rules and regulations of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania;
• if meeting the criteria for "driver" designation under the Lancaster County Transportation Policy, then compliance with "Authorized Driver Guidelines" under same Policy;

Criminal history background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is sedentary in nature. Except in the context of driving a motor vehicle in the course of employment, there are no specific physical demands.