The Office of the Public Defender, District 12, seeks a qualified individual to serve as an Assistant Public Defender. The selected candidate will join our team in representing indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in District and Superior Court.
We are a qualified employer for Public Student Loan Forgiveness as well as the NC Legal Education Assistance Foundation loan repayment assistance program for law school debt.
Come join an amazing team and gain trial and advocacy experience beyond that offered by most of the private sector. Cumberland County is home to Fort Liberty and has a culturally rich and diverse community. There are many things to do in Fayetteville for children and adults, from world-renowned museums, incredible event venues, charming local shops, international dining options, lots of outdoor recreation, and a wide variety of spectator sports. Fayetteville is about an hour from Raleigh and its larger city offerings, 45 minutes from world-class golf in Pinehurst, and only two hours from many NC beaches.
This position has some flexibility and can encompass a variety of options: juvenile focus, misdemeanor focus, felony focus or a hybrid option that focuses on both misdemeanors and felonies. Prior experience will determine the level of cases assigned and there is opportunity to work with a varied level of staff experience. The court staff in this district are very collaborative and have a supportive and positive working relationship with each other.
Our office is located in the Cumberland County Courthouse, with courtrooms right outside our doors. The office provides a nice working space downtown, within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Flexibility and autonomy are part of the office culture. CLE opportunities, annual Public Defender Conference, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and expert forensic resources are available to support you with the work you will do to defend indigent clients.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
Knowledge of: federal, state, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; and legal research methods.
Skills in: communication, writing, interviewing, and organization.
Ability to: analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.
Applicants with experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court trials is helpful but not required. Spanish language fluency a plus although not required.
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