Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks, which may be found in positions of this class.

Please review the full position description for additional information.

Description

 A Deputy Public Defender I primarily practices in District Court, and plans, organizes, and coordinates the representation and defense of indigent clients in criminal cases for the County, with minimal supervision from a higher level defense attorney.  Prepares and tries simple and gross misdemeanor cases. 
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES 
The  Deputy Public Defender I position is distinguished from the Deputy Public Defender II and III classification by generally fewer years of experience and the required ability to handle no more than a full a misdemeanor caseload. 

Essential Functions

• Manages a full misdemeanor caseload (simple and gross misdemeanors).
• Prepares cases for trial, pre-trial, and post-trial hearings and/or plea bargains with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
• Assists other attorneys in matters of trial strategy, tactics, and legal research and analysis.
• Handles miscellaneous court hearings, including, but not limited to:  preliminary appearance calendars, arraignment calendars, non-compliance calendars, ability to substitute in Drug Court hearings, Juvenile Court, and Superior Court when necessary.
• Maintains membership in good standing in the Washington State Bar Association and complies with all relevant standards for representing indigent defendants in accordance with the Washington State Supreme Court and Mason County.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS 

• Reviews police reports, interviews witnesses, and works with the court and deputy prosecutors to resolve cases as appropriate. 
• Performs a variety of legal office work, prepares appropriate legal pleadings, and does necessary research. 
• Maintains accurate and complete statistical information to be used for future needs and projections. 
• Appropriately utilizes non-attorney professional services.
• Provides limited back-up defense coverage for Juvenile and Superior Courts and is knowledgeable of District, Juvenile, and Superior Court rules and procedures. 
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association. 
• Knowledge of criminal law and judicial procedure of Washington State, techniques of interviewing, and preparation and defense of all variety of criminal cases, with emphasis on felonies. 
• Ability to perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems. 
• Present law, facts, evidence, and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form. 
• Work harmoniously and maintain good public relations. 
• One year of practice as an intern and/or attorney preferred, with further preference given to previous experience representing indigent clients. 

Salary/Compensation: $72,356 - $92,544 per year