Job Description
The City of Tucson's Public Defender's Office is seeking an Assistant Public Defender to join their team. This full-time position will be responsible for defending indigent clients charged with misdemeanor offenses in City Court. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctorate and at least one year of experience in criminal litigation. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred.
- Job Title: Assistant Public Defender - Salary: $78,560 annually - Location: City of Tucson, Arizona - Experience: Juris Doctorate and at least one year of experience in criminal litigation - FLSA Status: Exempt - Time Type: Full-time
Summary of Duties: The Assistant Public Defender will have the opportunity to defend indigent clients charged with misdemeanor offenses in City Court. This includes conducting client interviews, reviewing evidence, researching legal issues, drafting legal documents, conducting witness interviews, participating in plea negotiations, and preparing evidence for trial. This position also requires court coverage for other attorneys and may occasionally be called to court for client assistance.
Duties and Responsibilities: - Conduct client interviews (in-person, virtual, telephonic, and jail) - Review and evaluate evidence - Research legal issues and specific case issues - Draft legal documents - Conduct witness interviews - Participate in plea negotiations and settlement conferences - Prepare evidence and documents for trial - Provide case staffing/consulting - Conduct crime scene investigations and prepare exhibits - Defend clients in City Court by attending hearings, arguing relevant issues and case law, presenting mitigating factors, and conducting direct and cross-examination of witnesses - Lead paraprofessionals, assistants, seasonal employees, law students/interns, volunteers, or temporary employees on requests related to client representation - Other duties and tasks as assigned under the direction of the supervisor/administration
Qualifications: - Juris Doctorate and under one (1) year of related experience - One year of experience in criminal litigation - Member of the Arizona State Bar Association in good standing - Bilingual – English/Spanish preferred - Experience in Criminal Law preferred - Trial experience and/or Immigration experience preferred but not mandatory
Compensation & Benefits: - Full Hourly Range: $35.37 - $61.01 USD (annual salary of $78,560) - Generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage - Paid time off program with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment - Twelve weeks of paid parental leave - Paid tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment - Opportunities for professional development and training - Employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours
Application Instructions: To apply for this position, please follow the special application instructions provided by the City of **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. This is an open and continuous recruitment, with applications being reviewed 30 days from the opening date and the first Monday of each month thereafter. The starting salary for this position is $78,560.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Tucson is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may file a complaint with the City of Tucson's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or Arizona Attorney General's Office of the Civil Rights Division (ACRD).
Employment Eligibility: The City of Tucson employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City of Tucson is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or who require religious accommodation. Please contact Human Resources for assistance.
Join the City of Tucson's Public Defender's Office as an Assistant Public Defender and make a positive impact on the community by providing legal representation to indigent clients. Apply now and become a part of our dedicated team!
