Criminal Defense Attorney - Albuquerque, NM

Do you have what it takes to be a Public Defender?

Are you motivated by a desire to help those who society has largely abandoned? Do you enjoy the role of advocating for the underdog?

The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender is excited to announce opportunity join our team and be on the front lines of criminal justice reform!

Here’s what the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender is looking for:

Attorneys that are committed to advocating on behalf of indigent clients.

Attorneys interested in positively impacting the lives of clients through holistic representation.

Attorneys that have the ability to stand up for a client, and stand up to “the system.”

Attorneys who are excited about the opportunity to gain vast amounts of courtroom and litigation experience, familiarity with state statutes and working knowledge of the rules of evidence and trial practice

Public Defender 2 (PD2)
• Attorneys at this level will handle a variety of misdemeanors and may assist in juvenile cases and youthful offender cases.
• May assist higher level attorneys with complex cases.
• Work is performed under the direction, guidance and supervision from more experienced colleagues and supervisor/manager.
• Will conduct plea bargaining when appropriate with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.

Public Defender 3 (PD3)
• Attorneys at this level should be able to represent clients in all misdemeanors or juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to lower levels attorneys and law clerks.
• Works under the direction and guidance provided by higher level Attorneys and/or Managing Attorney.
• Will conduct plea bargaining when appropriate with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.

Public Defender 4 (PD4)
• Positions at this level handle felony cases such as burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes and probation violations with limited supervision.
• May handle more complex level felonies with some guidance/direction from a higher level attorney/managing attorney.
• Has acquired sufficient knowledge and/or experience to handle an appellate caseload.
• Has knowledge and experience to prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court with some direction from higher level Attorneys.
• Provides guidance and advice to lower level attorneys.
• Works independently and is able to recognize and resolve complex issues related to the caseload.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.
Public Defender 5 (PD5)
• Positions at this level handle all levels of criminal cases and legal matters including the most complex felonies, including high profile cases, such as capital cases.
• Can act with independence with little guidance.
• Has acquired sufficient knowledge and experience to handle an appellate caseload.
• Has knowledge and experience to prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and for Supreme Court.
• Incumbents in positions at this level are recognized as an expert in one or more
areas of criminal law.
• Positions at this level may also provide supervision from a lead work perspective to attorneys at lower levels and conduct in-house training for attorneys.
• Works independently and is able to recognize and resolve complex issues related to the caseload.
• Provide input to the performance review and development of attorneys at lower levels.
• Provides key input into the development of policies and procedures for the assigned organization unit and/or program.
• Trains, coordinates and advises less experienced public defender attorneys to
include co-counseling.
• Conducts legal research/analysis of laws, precedents, legal issues, procedural rules, in preparation of cases.
• Reviews and investigates client cases to determine legal position and propose legal strategy.
• Prepares for litigation and appeal through initiation of legal documents, review of case information, obtaining evidence, conducting interviews, preparation of
witnesses to testify.
• Researches changes in laws, legislation, rules court decisions, case precedents, to determine/ anticipate legal problems and propose resolutions.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports, memoranda in opposition, briefs,
legal documents, motions, correspondence, and appeals for clients.
• Counsels and advises clients on cases such as pleadings, arraignments, trials,
appeals.
• Represents the client in legal matters, such as motions, hearings, litigation and
appeals.
• Explains, interprets and keeps client informed on changes in law, court decisions, legal issues and problems.
• Attends seminars, training classes and reviews current professional literature to
maintain and develop professional skill and knowledge.
• Conducts plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to establish
agreements to resolve cases.
• Follows through on case by ensuring client release, client payments.
• Performs related work as required.
• Depending on location: may assist with (CLIP) program or coordinate
volunteer/intern/extern programs.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: An employee with this classification may be required to perform at a PD5, PD4, PD3, PD2 level or duties of a lower classification without additional compensation. Employee will be required to show competence in all levels PD2 through PD5.