Assistant Public Defender II
Assistant Public Defender II
Starting salary: $77,307.75 - $85,067.39
Position Status: Full-Time
Position Summary
Under general supervision, perform a variety of responsible professional, public defense legal work, applying professional legal principles and practices to a variety of complex legal assignments in an assigned operational area. Work is performed at the full performance level with considerable professional independence, discretion, mature judgement, and latitude in researching, preparing, and routinely defending indigent individuals in court on juvenile or misdemeanor charges. Work involves the use of significant writing, analytical, and communications skills. Assignments may involve planning, overseeing, and directing the activities of legal office support, para-professional, or professional staff, as needed. Work is reviewed by a professional supervisor or the Public Defender through conferences, and results obtained.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Litigation of Pretrial Fairness Act hearings and various other criminal, traffic, and juvenile cases assigned.
- Receives specific case assignments; prepares motions; conducts research of related court decisions, gathers evidence through interviewing witnesses, and reviews pertinent legal matters pertaining to cases; prepares legal briefs; meets with prosecuting attorneys; develops strategy, arguments, and testimony; interviews and counsels clients; litigates cases in court; negotiates plea offers.
- Prepares and responds to motions; attends courts for arraignments, probation hearings, pre-trial and post-trial motions and sentencing; ensures legal activities comply with required federal and state guidelines and regulations; assists in preparing and trying felony cases, as assigned.
- Ensures the procedural and substantive rights of clients; balances the safety and emotional well-being of juveniles with the rights of parents; deals with family-related social issues of clients.
- Oversees and provides guidance and direction to office support, paralegal, and other professional staff assisting at various stages of preparing a case for trial or hearing.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Litigation of Pretrial Fairness Act hearings and various other criminal, traffic, and juvenile cases assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of the principle and practices of the law, applicable to the position.
- Knowledge of court procedures and trial techniques and rules of evidence.
- Knowledge of the methodology of legal research.
- Knowledge of local government operations, Human Resource related programs, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar programs.
- Skill in writing and analysis.
- Skill in effective listening and communicating, problem-solving, and teamwork.
- Ability to analyze complex factual situations and to organize, interpret, and apply legal principles to them.
- Ability to conduct legal research, prepare appropriate legal documents, and try court cases.
- Ability to plan and schedule work in a manner conducive to full performance of the assigned work of the position.
- Ability to empathize and work with indigent clients.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, county officials, legal colleagues, and the public.
- Ability to deal properly with confidential and sensitive matters.
Required Qualifications
- Requires a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of 1 to 2 years of related experience in preparing and trying a variety of cases before the courts, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois
Physical Attributes/Demands
The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Requires the ability to bend, walk, and stand for an extended period. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and possess close visual acuity.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a relatively safe and secure work environment. May include exposure to potentially violent clients, biological hazards, and infectious diseases.
Benefits Package
McLean County offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Medical Member Rewards Program
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flex Spending Account (FSA)
- Dependent Spending Account (DSA)
- Supplemental Insurance: Life, Critical Illness and Accident
- County provided Life Insurance
- Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF Pension)
- Paid time off: vacation days, personal days, sick days, holidays
- Identity Protection
- Charitable Giving
- Employee Assistance Program
Full salary range: $77,307.75 - $119,826.92
About McLean County Government
McLean County is the largest county by land area in the state of Illinois with a population of over 172,000. McLean County Government is a fast-moving and dynamic workplace established to locally administer Illinois State laws and serve the community in a variety of ways throughout our multitude of departments. With a $130 million operating budget, over 800 employees, and an Aa1 Bond Rating, McLean County Government is positioned to maintain and expand its reputation for excellence in local government.
To learn more about all the services McLean County Government provides the community, please visit https://mcleancountyil.gov/. A full list of Departments with a description of their function can be located at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/8/Departments.
How to Apply
Click “Apply” at the bottom of this post.
*If applying through a third party job board, please fill out an application via McLean County Government’s Job Board located at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/2068/Jobs
Confidentiality of your application is maintained upon request.
McLean County Government is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.