CHINS Public Defender - Public Defender - RPT

Description

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Attorney for the Tippecanoe County Public Defender CHINS-TPR Division, responsible providing legal representation for respondents as appointed by the Court.

DUTIES:

• Receives and reviews court documents and other information, and discusses with and advises clients regarding various issues, such as defenses, legal motions, investigation, witnesses, evidence, agreements, trial strategy, disposition, and petitions for contempt or compliance.
• Conducts case investigations, including interviewing law enforcement personnel and witnesses, and/or DCS and CASA personnel, reviewing arrest and other reports, taking depositions and statements, and consulting with investigators. 
• Prepares and files pre-trial motions, such as appearances, motions for discovery and other motions. Appears in court for initial, status and disposition hearings, pre-trial conferences, fact finding, review, and permanency hearings, bond reduction hearings, contempt and other hearings, discussing cases and negotiating agreements or case dismissal with attorneys as appropriate.
• Prepares for hearings and/or trials, including filing documents, preparing motions, pleadings, discovery responses, subpoenas, correspondence and witness lists, interviewing clients and witnesses, obtaining mental health or treatment documents, reviewing case law, consulting experts, preparing opening statements, arguments, evidence and trial exhibits, and preparing and filing appeals as necessary.
• Periodically prepares and presents oral and/or written reports to court regarding department activities and caseload.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Doctorate Degree in Law, Indiana license to practice law with completion of course work, training, and experience as required by State Guidelines for CHINS/TPR, and appeals.. Ability to complete continuing legal education credits as required.
• Ability to meet applicable qualifications and standards established by the Indiana Public Defender Commission.
• Ability to follow all department policies and procedures including, but not limited to, qualification standards, caseload limitations, and conflict screening.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of federal, state and local laws, standard procedures, rules of evidence, and rules of court.
• Ability to conduct legal research, thorough investigations and interviews, and effectively prepare and present cases in legal proceedings.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, attorneys, court and law enforcement personnel, DCS and CASA personnel, witnesses, respondents and their families, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to State requirements.
• Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to work rapidly for long periods, work on several tasks at the same time and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions, often under time pressure.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
• Ability to occasionally work extended, evening and/or weekend hours and occasionally travel out of town to meet with witnesses, sometimes overnight.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license, and a demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent's duties are broad in scope, often requiring careful consideration of new, unusual, complex and/or contradictory circumstances and interrelationships. Incumbent exercises independent judgment in interpreting precedents, adapting standard approaches and making compromises to fit varying situations.

III. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent applies legal guidelines and professional standards in making non-routine decisions and recommendations, reviewing unusual cases with supervisor as needed. Incumbent's work is periodically reviewed for soundness of judgment.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, attorneys, court and law enforcement personnel, DCS and CASA personnel, witnesses, respondents and their families, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, investigating, negotiating agreements, and arguing cases in legal proceedings.

Incumbent reports directly to Chief Public Defender.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard office environment, jail and courtroom involving sitting and walking at will, sitting/standing for long periods, hearing communication, lifting/carrying objects weighing under 25 pounds, driving, and exposure to potentially violent/ confrontational individuals. Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening and/or weekend hours and occasionally travels out of town to meet with witnesses, sometimes overnight.