Chief Public Defender
Chief Public Defender
Description :
Classification Title
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Chief Public Defender
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FLSA Status
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Exempt
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GENERAL SUMMARY
The purpose of this job is to develop, implement, oversee, and direct the Public Defender Office and the indigent defense contract system. The Chief Public Defender (CPD) is responsible for staffing the Public Defender Office, creating and supervising all attorney contracts and/or attorney rosters within the contract system, ensuring that Barry County meets all constitutional and legislative requirements pertaining to the representation of indigent adults and providing a high level of indigent defense (ID) services. The CPD supervises and directs all ID staff; monitors all ID contracts and attorney rosters for compliance; develops and implements policies and procedures for all facets of ID; directs and/or performs the department's administrative functions; and prepares the department’s annual budget.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the activities of all facets of ID are in compliance with the constitutional and statutory requirements regarding the defense of indigent clients.
- Develop necessary policies and procedures to attain and maintain standards of indigent defense as they are developed and approved by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC).
- Utilize County resources efficiently and effectively to provide a high level of ID services.
- Verify that each contracted attorney has adequate professional liability insurance that is maintained and that the County and Court are held harmless from liability arising from their representation of a client.
- Ensure legal representation of each client at arraignment and other critical states of the case.
- Attend court proceedings to monitor attorneys’ performance.
- Approves pre-trial investigations and expert witnesses.
- Monitor attorney participation in continuing legal education (CLE) events and monitor all data collection as required by the MIDC relative to CLE hours.
- Monitor performance of all adult indigent ID contracts and/or attorney rosters whether these contracts are entered into with firms or with individual ID attorneys.
- Supervise and direct the activities of all Public Defender Office staff.
- Advise the County Administrator of violations of contract provisions, and recommendations on how to remedy compliance issues. Advise the County Administrator of recurring requests for waivers from contract requirements.
- Develop and implement internal caseload management reporting to certify Supreme Court and MIDC standards and mandates are met.
- Manage the department budget to include review and approval of appointed attorney bills and payments for services and staff expenses.
- Attend meetings, conferences, and CLE opportunities as approved by the County Administrator.
- Stay informed of legal precedents and relevant legislation as it pertains to ID representation.
- Attend meetings with other agencies and departments as required.
- Provide updates to the Board of Commissioners of each county as required.
- Perform other duties as required by the County Administrator on behalf of the Board of Commissioners.
- Performs related work as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education and Experience
Education: Juris Doctor degree with a Certificate of Admittance to the State Bar of Michigan as evidence of continued good professional standing and authority to practice law throughout the state.
Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the practice of criminal defense or the equivalent, including a minimum of three (3) years of progressively more responsible experience in the administration of legal services.
3-5 years of experience practicing law with a thorough understanding of the rules of evidence and the applicable statutes, case law and trial procedures.
Required Licenses or Certifications
- License to practice law in the State of Michigan
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge and Experience in:
- Management/supervision, leadership, human relations, finance/budget, office administration, planning, organizing, communications (written and oral);
- Considerable ability with computer/word processing, legal skills, judgment/problem solving, teamwork building and motivational proficiency that lead to world class status quality service;
- Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal, civil contempt and juvenile law, particularly as related to the defense of clients, investigations, research, data analysis, report preparation techniques and computer applications related to the work;
- Considerable ability to plan, organize and direct a high volume law firm that encompasses directing the work of others, providing for their training and professional development, interpreting, applying and explaining laws, policies and regulations, analyzing complex legal and administrative problems, evaluating alternatives and adopting sound courses of action.
Skill in:
- Verbal and written communication
- Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
- Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
- Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
- Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments
Ability to:
- Draft pleadings and orders according to Court Rule
- Read, analyze and understand matters submitted and make an independent and informed decision
- Read, analyze, interpret and apply court rules, case law, statutes and policies
- Ability to operate computer for information retrieval and input
- Ability to access law books, reference materials and computer information
- Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions
- Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
- Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
Wage and Benefits: Annual wage range: $68,556 - $82,264 full time plus fringe benefit package.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS
The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment |
Seldom or Never |
Sometimes or Occasionally |
Frequently or Often |
Office or similar indoor environment |
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X |
Outdoor environment |
X |
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Street environment (near moving traffic) |
X |
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Construction site |
X |
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Confined space |
X |
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In the community (homes, businesses, etc.) |
X |
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Warehouse environment |
X |
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Shop environment |
X |
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Other: Court Room |
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X |
Exposures |
Seldom or Never |
Sometimes or Occasionally |
Frequently or Often |
Individuals who are rude or irate |
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X |
Individuals with known violent backgrounds |
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X |
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees) |
X |
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Extreme heat (above 100 degrees) |
X |
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Moving mechanical parts |
X |
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Fumes or airborne particles |
X |
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Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances or waste |
X |
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Loud noises (85+ decibels) |
X |
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Other |
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Date created: |
September 2018 |
Dates revised |
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Contact :
To Apply: Interested and qualified candidates can obtain a complete copy of the Chief Public Defender job description and a Barry County Application for Employment at www.barrycounty.org or email request to mbrown@barrycounty.org. Applications with resume can be emailed to mbrown@barrycounty.org.
Posting Date: October 16, 2018
Deadline: Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Barry County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Deadline for Applying : Open until filled