Public Defender

Overview

Navajo County seeks an experienced criminal defense attorney to lead the Office of the Public Defender. Navajo County is one of Arizona's larger counties. It stretches approximately halfway across the state running north and south. Navajo County is rich with a diverse population, including several Native American reservations and tourist destinations. Due to the County's geographic area, diverse population, rural communities, and economic status, indigent defense requires a dynamic leader. The Public Defender is responsible for overall management of the office, including administration, personnel, supervision, training, caseload management, ethics and all areas necessary to secure the best possible representation for our clients. The Public Defender will also maintain a felony caseload.

The Public Defender will work in conjunction with experts, social workers, investigators, core staff, and other members of the defense team in a team-oriented environment. The Public Defender must be able to balance a client-centered approach to representation while advocating to address systemic inequities. The essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration of Public Defender services
• Manage personnel, including interviewing and hiring
• Setting and managing office expectations
• Manage the Public Defender budget
• Ensure continued professional development of the staff
• Provide training, research, and consultation services to attorneys on staff
• Manage the attorney caseload numbers, and types of cases assigned
• Manage your own felony caseload
• Oversee cases proceeding to trial
• Oversee complex cases
• Oversee contracting out overflow and conflict cases
• Oversee indigent defense in five justice courts in Navajo County
• Oversee title 36 proceedings
• Oversee indigent juvenile proceedings in Navajo County
• Represent clients in complex legal cases
• Ensure client-centered representation
• Conduct legal research and analysis, including changes in laws, legislation, procedural rules, court decisions, and case precedents in preparation for trial and to determine / anticipate legal problems and propose resolutions
• Effectively and compassionately communicate with clients, team members, colleagues, and service providers to ensure optimal outcomes for clients
• Counsel and advise clients on changes in law, court decisions, and legal issues
• Counsel and advise attorney's on changes in law, court decisions and legal issues
• Research legal precedents, opinions, and proposed legislation for their future impact and for defense of specific cases.
• Perform other related duties as directed by Navajo County administration
• Exceptional communication skills
• Exceptional legal analysis and writing skills
• Extensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure
• Extensive felony jury trial experience
• Ability to effectively communicate in written and oral form
• Ability to use all necessary electronic devices (e.g., computers, recording devices, etc.)
• Ability to expertly review all discovery, which may include visual depictions of evidence, examine physical evidence and view crime scenes
• Able to handle emergency or crisis situations
• Able to process and retain large amounts of information
• Able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries
• Able to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information

Required Qualifications

Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school, current membership in the State Bar of Arizona; AND five years experience in criminal litigation / defense, including two years in a supervisory or management capacity; AND valid Driver License.

Desirable Qualifications

Significant experience working with diverse populations, experience with indigent defense systems, handling of overflow or conflict cases and title 36 / juvenile defense, and demonstrated skill in budget planning, research allocation and performance evaluation.

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