Job Title: Chief Public Defender
Department: Public Defender’s Office
Job Objective: The position of Public Defender consists of legal representation of indigent defendants from the time of appointment until final disposition in circuit court. Additionally, the Chief Public Defender is responsible for the supervision of support staff including, but not limited to adherence to the policies of the human resources department, verifying time sheets and leave time, and fulfilling the duties necessary to provide quality legal services to clients.
Essential Job Functions:
- Receiving and reviewing appointments of representation of clients after their initial appearances.
- Reviewing case files for those clients assigned to the attorney.
- Meeting with clients, including going to the local jail or other correctional facilities, and discussing the legal and factual basis for their charges including possible defenses and whether further investigation is needed.
- Conducting preliminary hearings as needed, or alternatively, negotiating lower bail bonds in exchange for waivers of preliminary hearings.
- Assisting clients in obtaining drug treatment, mental health and/or other needs that may impact the resolution of their cases.
- Directing support staff in the investigative needs of a particular case.
- Determining and filing any appropriate motions or transport orders and appearing in court to argue/defend said motions.
- Appearing at arraignments dockets and accepting representation of clients not previously assigned.
- Reviewing dockets and files for possible conflicts or interest and reassigning cases if necessary.
- Negotiating resolution of cases, or alternatively, preparing for trial including, but not limited to, preparing and filing subpoenas, jury instructions, and relevant motions.
- Participating in revocation hearing as assigned by the circuit court.
- Maintaining the data of cases assigned to the public defender’s office.
- Filing the appropriate motions for appointment of appellate counsel after conviction by trial.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Evaluating and hiring support staff.
- Confirming time sheets for support staff.
- Delegating the corresponding duties for support staff to carry out.
- Ensuring support staff maintains professionalism and client confidence.
- Ensuring support staff complies with human resource policies.
- Preparing and presenting an annual budget to the Board of Supervisors.
- Ordering necessary equipment and supplies.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidate must possess a J.D. degree and a license to practice law in all state courts within the State of Mississippi. Preference is given for attorneys with jury trial experience.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of court procedures and practices
- Knowledge of the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, Mississippi Rules of Evidence, and all other Mississippi Rules of Court and how each applies to criminal cases
- Knowledge of Mississippi Code annotated as amended as it applies to criminal cases
- Ability to access computer information contained in the MEC, the Circuit Clerk’s criminal system and jail
- Ability to use various computer software programs, such as Word, WordPerfect, etc.
- Ability to maintain confidential information
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to perform legal research
- Ability to interact effectively with employees in other units of the organization, other departments, management, outside agencies and the public
- Ability to return calls and emails in a timely manner
- Ability to meet in person with clients who are incarcerated prior to court dates
- Remain in good standing with the Mississippi Bar and the Mississippi Supreme Court
Additional Requirements:
All applicants must posses a valid Mississippi Driver’s License and maintain licensure for the duration of this position. Additionally, the applicant must maintain all professional licensure requirements of the Mississippi Bar and all CLEs must continually be up to date. All Applicants must be in good standing with the Mississippi Bar and the Mississippi Supreme Court and remain in such standing for the term of employment .
*Please submit your curriculum vitae to human resources at lward@lamarcountyms.gov
Lamar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that all employment practices are conducted in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.