Defending the rights of the accused;
Preserving the rights of us all.
Assistant Public Defender – Trial Division
Annual Salary Range: $65,000 plus benefits
Geographic Locations: Bartow, FL / Wauchula, FL / Sebring, FL
Starting Date: immediately
Summary of Duties: Prepares cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses; interviews clients and prospective witnesses; prepares or oversees the drafting of briefs, memoranda, pleadings, and other legal papers; conducts legal research; represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, dispositions, and other proceedings; interviews clients in custody and makes initial decisions concerning such things as bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial; determines need for expert witnesses; locates appropriate experts and schedules them for trial if needed; performs related work as required.
Qualifications:
• Experience preferred but not required
• Must be an active member and in good standing with The Florida Bar
• Must be willing to reside in the 10th Circuit within a reasonable time of accepting employment
• Good knowledge of criminal law and procedure
• Good knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation
• Good knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
• Good knowledge of the pleading and practice of effective presentation of court cases
• Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments
• Ability to appraise and organize facts to present evidence and other material in written and oral form
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with prosecutors, judges, and other professionals, as well as clients and the general public
• Good skills in conducting legal research and analysis of data
• Good skills in determining proper courses of action and presentation of facts and arguments
• Ability to manage a high volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients.
• Ability to make regularly scheduled court appearances; conduct case evaluation, investigation and preparation including but not limited to witness interviews, legal research, motion preparation, and related work as required; provide qualified and approved substitute counsel when unable to make regularly scheduled court appearances. Occasional unscheduled matters may arise
• Ability to recognize potential conflicts of interest requiring recusal
• Basic computer skills
Assistant Public Defender– Appellate Division
Annual Salary Range: Minimum $65,000 commensurate with experience (plus benefits)
Geographic Location: Bartow, Florida
Starting Date: immediately
Summary of Duties: Represent indigent persons in appellate process; review and analyze client’s
record on appeal; identify errors and issues subject to appeal; research and analyze case law; draft
persuasive briefs and other appellate documents; advocate in appellate courts through oral
arguments; assist trial attorneys in framing and preserving issues for purposes of appeal.
Qualifications:
• Must be an active member and in good standing with The Florida Bar
• Good knowledge of criminal law and procedure
• Good knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of legal research
• Exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills
• Strong computer skills including legal research
• Good knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
• Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments
• Ability to appraise and organize facts to present evidence and other material in written and
oral form
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships members of the staff and
the appellate courts
• Good skills in determining proper courses of action and presentation of facts and arguments
• Ability to manage a high volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of
communication and attention to individual clients.
• Submit resume and writing sample
LEGAL ASSISTANT I
Salary: $31,200 per year + benefits
Location: Bartow, FL
Hours: M-F 8:00-5:00
Summary of Duties:
This is confidential legal clerical work. An employee in this position is responsible for performing a variety of clerical duties in assisting an Assistant Public Defender with case preparation. Duties involve the performance of clerical tasks related to criminal proceedings; setting up and maintaining the attorneys’ calendars; screening calls and mail; scanning; providing information to the general public; data input; and preparing appropriate legal documents and correspondence.
Skills / Qualifications:
Requirements:
Benefits
(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com)
State of Florida Employment Application: https://www.dms.myflorida.com/content/download/59570/251607/version/4/file/State+App06-13.pdf
10th Judicial Circuit