Assistant Public Defender - Attorney

Overview

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement - York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

Core Values - Excellence through Professionalism

• Respect - respect builds bridges, not silos. How we live it? Golden rule - treat others as you want to be treated.
• Dedicated - strong work ethic. How we live it? Persistence, reliability and commitment to do your best.
• Integrity - do the right thing instead of what is convenient. How we live it? Displaying strong moral principles.
• Knowledgeable - ready and able. How we live it? Having the right competencies necessary for achievement.
• Friendly - service with a smile. How we live it? Being respectful, pleasant and helpful to ALL.

The 16th Circuit Public Defender Office provides legal representation qualifying individuals charged with criminal offenses in York and Union County, S.C.

We invite you to apply to join our team as a full-time (exempt) Assistant Public Defender within the 16th Circuit Public Defender Office. The purpose of this position is to prepare and defend cases in all applicable County Courts and to perform related professional and administrative work as required.

Compensation: Compensation is determined based on experience and education using a tier system.

Location: York County Office and Union County Office

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; occasional evenings and weekends depending on operational needs.

This position is open until filled with applications being reviewed as received.

• Compensation – competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Expanded Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences

• Maintains and manages individual caseloads in a timely and effective manner.
• Defends cases in all applicable County, Magistrate, and/or Municipal Courts.
• Prepares cases for defense, performing such duties as reviewing incident reports and evidence, evaluating cases and determining best case strategies; conducting preliminary hearings; interviewing witnesses, maintaining confidential communication with clients, researching legal issues affecting cases; applying the law to facts of a criminal case; advocating for an appropriate sentence; writing legal briefs, motions, and orders; preparing expert witnesses for testimony; trials, and any other duties necessary to provide a full and complete defense of a client.
• Presents and argues prepared cases in court as assigned, which requires the ability to drive to County courthouses.
• Conducts various other hearings, including those for juvenile detention, disposition and probation revocation; mental health, restitution, bond es treatment, hearings, and any other hearings necessary for a full and complete defense of a client.
• Notifies defendants and bondsmen of court appearances.
• Receives and responds to difficult and sensitive client or public inquiries, concerns and complaints.
• Performs general administrative/clerical work as required, including but not limited to copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, assembling materials, answering the telephone, responding to correspondence, and reviewing mail and literature.
• Operates a computer and various types of…