at City of Spokane in Spokane, Washington, United States
Job Description
The City of Spokane Public Defender's Office seeks creative, client-focused advocates to join our diverse team of public defense attorneys. If you have a passion for public defense and a commitment to representing people in need, you have found your team!
Successful candidates are dedicated advocates, think critically and creatively in a fast-paced environment and are open to accepting feedback and opportunities to grow.
- You use independent judgment, to determine the proper course of action within the limits of law.
- You have the ability to maintain extensive outside contacts, to obtain or supply factual information.
- You must be able to prepare legal briefs and develop strategy, arguments and testimony.
- You have strong negotiation skills and bring those to court, in defense of your clients.
- You care about your community and the citizens that you serve.
Our Public Defenders have professional development opportunities, annual pay step increases, a flexible schedule and great employee benefits, including a pension plan!
As another benefit, a Public Defender I will automatically promote to a Public Defender II after one year, with a pay range of $82,705.68 to $121,250.00.
EXAMPLES OF JOB FUNCTIONS
- Prepares and conducts legal defense before the Court including representation at first appearance and arraignment.
- Gathers evidence and conducts legal research to formulate defense against charges.
- Interviews clients and witnesses and may work with an investigator to ascertain case facts, and handles other details in preparation for trial or case resolution.
- Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of the case.
- Negotiates resolution with prosecutors on non-trial cases.
- Represents client in court, examining and cross-examining witnesses. Summarizes case to jury.
- Provides advice by phone to DUI arrestees who have asked for such advice of counsel during business and non-business hours.
- Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings, such as therapeutic courts.
- Performs related work as required.
