Position: Deputy Chief Public Defender – Full-time position

Opening Date: January 1, 2025 Closing Date: Until Filled

Salary: $137,635

Department: Public Defender Location: Superior and Circuit Courts

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Description:

Represent indigent persons charged with serious criminal offenses in the St. Joseph County Superior and Circuit Courts and assist the Chief Public Defender in supervising and directing the Office of the St. Joseph County Public Defender’s Office.

Essential Functions:

Represent Indigent Person in Felony Cases: Carry a full-time case load as defined by the Indiana Commission of Court Appointed Counsel’s Standards for Indigent Defense Services in Non-Capital Cases. Caseload will consist primarily of major felony charges, including murder cases.

Assists Chief Public Defender: Supervise and direct assigned personnel, including interviewing candidates and assisting in making hiring decisions, providing training, developing and motivating staff, evaluating performance, implementing personnel or corrective actions, keeping supervisor and subordinates informed of organization developments, maintaining discipline, and communicating and administering personnel programs and procedures.

Assists Deputy Public Defenders: Ensure quality control standards are met.

Qualifications:

Doctor of Jurisprudence with license to practice law in the State of Indiana, with extensive criminal, jury trial experience. Must be an admitted and a member in good standing with the Indiana Supreme Court and pass a criminal background check.

Ability to complete and maintain continuing legal education requirements.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply federal, state, and local laws and ordinances to a wide variety of individual situations and circumstances for the preparation of cases and defense of clients before the court and/or jury.

Practical knowledge of standard legal procedures and practices of St. Joseph County Court, with ability to effectively prepare and argue cases before the court and/or jury.

Working knowledge of Public Defender's Office goals, objectives, and operational requirements, with ability to effectively develop and implement appropriate procedures accordingly.

Possess the interrelated processes, tasks, and operations and a working knowledge of basic filing systems and ability to create and maintain Department files and records.

Ability and willingness to represent clients effectively and fairly amidst potential controversy,

unpopularity, and lack of support from members of the public.

Ability to conduct legal research and interview and/or investigate clients, witnesses, crime

scenes, and other persons/areas as individual cases demand.

Ability to perform job duties in compliance with the Indiana Code of Professional Conduct.

Ability to effectively assist in supervising and directing assigned personnel, including

interviewing candidates and assisting in making hiring decisions, providing training, developing,

and motivating staff, evaluating performance, implementing personnel or corrective actions, keeping supervisor and subordinates informed of organization developments, maintaining discipline, and communicating and administering personnel programs and procedures.

Ability to plan and present public speaking presentations.

Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate orally and in writing with co- workers, other County departments, prosecutors and staff, Court personnel, Indiana Public Defender Commission, law enforcement, Department of Child Services victims of crime, witnesses, and the public in a courteous and tactful manner, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate or hostile persons.

Possess a genuine desire and commitment to assist indigent persons in obtaining just outcomes when charged with serious criminal offenses.