Assistant Public Defender

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About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day North Carolinas courts help provide safety for our communities prosperity for our economy and protection for the rights liberties and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor denial or delay.

Description of Work

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

The District 6 Office of the Public Defender represents indigent clients in all criminal in district and superior court juvenile delinquency matters civil contempt matters treatment courts first appearances and parents in abuse neglect and dependency matters. District 6 defenders are cross-trained and capable of handling all casework required to provide quality legal services for indigent clients.

Public Defenders must be capable of handling difficult cases and clients some of which are struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues while maintaining positive professional relationships with clients coworkers and the public. Defenders are expected to visit clients at the jail and in prison facilities and occasionally travel outside the office for trainings or assisting in coverage in the Pender County office.

All applicants must have a strong desire and commitment to indigent defense and client advocacy while allotting time in their workday to return phone calls and emails appropriately notate cases in the management system and complete daily disposition data and other procedural matters.

Applicant must be attentive to detail organized possess an ability to effectively communicate and litigate cases in the courtroom and have exceptional legal research and writing skills.

The District 6 Office of the Public Defender strives to create a diverse staff with expertise and interest in serving indigent clients who come to us with diverse needs backgrounds ethnicities and disabilities.

Salary will be determined by experience.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES:

Knowledge and Skills Required: Federal State common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case statutory regulatory and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases and juvenile cases as well as competency in legal research methods.

Applicant must be able to analyze facts laws rules regulations interpretations and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan develop and execute an effective litigation strategy; prepare organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements closing arguments and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a concise manner; and maintain a high volume caseload in a professional and efficient manner all while accurately notating the case management system in accordance and District 6 office policy and North Carolina State Bar file retention standards.

Supplemental and Contact Information

INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Before applying please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings.

It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.

*NOTE* Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.

Carefully review the FAQs if you experience difficulty with the application process or attaching documents.

All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify an internet-based system that compares information from an employees Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

Charmaine J. Leeks
NC Administrative Office of the Courts

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. If that language appears below then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina. However applicants awaiting NC Bar licensure will be considered.

Applicants with experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court trials is helpful but not required.

Attach a résumé and a persuasive cover letter describing your personal and professional credentials for employment. You may email your résumé and cover letter to or attach to your application.

**Applications without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.**

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination harassment or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs observances and practices.

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