Senior Assistant Public Defender

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Location : Delaware, OH

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 2501115

Department: Public Defender

Opening Date: 10/01/2025

Closing Date: 10/8/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA: Determined by Position

Bargaining Unit: N/A

Objectives

Under the general direction of the Delaware County Public Defender, the individual serves as a supervising attorney responsible to assisting the Public Defender in leading the office. The individual represents indigent clients in the Delaware County Common Pleas Court General Division, the Delaware County Juvenile Court, and the Delaware County Municipal Court. The Public Defender's Office is committed to practicing cultural competence by working respectfully and effectively with people of all cultures, classes, races, genders, ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, mental and physical abilities, ages and appearances in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each. Individual reports to the Public Defender.

Job Standards

• Juris Doctorate degree is required, and must be licensed, admitted, and be in good standing with the Ohio Bar for practice as an Attorney in the State of Ohio pursuant to section 4705.01 of the Revised Code;

• Five years' experience practicing criminal defense;

• Must possess a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record;

• Must meet and maintain qualifications for driving on county business as a continued condition of employment;

• All required licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Essential Functions

• Under general supervision of Public Defender represents indigent criminal clients in the Delaware County Common Pleas Court General Division, the Delaware County Juvenile Court, and the Delaware County Municipal Court;

• Represents indigent clients in difficult and complex cases;

• Supervises and assists other assistant public defenders in case preparation, provides direct training on cases, and develops advocacy skills;

• Supervises administrative professionals and legal interns in preparation of cases for trial;

• Uses One Solution and Executime to approve employee time;

• Uses One Solution to approve purchase orders in conjunction with Program Administrator;

• Researches, analyzes, and interprets complex issues of law;

• Conducts legal research and prepares documents, pleadings, and motions;

• Under general supervision of Public Defender prepares cases for trial;

• Under general supervision of Public Defender independently tries cases as lead or co-counsel;

• Reviews drafts of pleadings, briefs, motions, and memoranda prepared by legal interns, administrative staff, and other attorneys (has final responsibility for documents prepared at the individual's request in cases where the individual is lead counsel);

• Verbally presents legal arguments to courts;

• Formulates legal strategies for indigent criminal clients;

• Applies those legal strategies to the attain the successfully and representation of indigent criminal clients (e.g. corresponds and consults with clients to explain and discuss legal strategies in their cases);

• Appears in court as counsel or co-counsel as agent for the Public Defender;

• Renders legal advice to others public defenders and members of the private bar on matters of criminal law. Instructs and reviews work of lesser experienced public defenders on particular cases where both are assigned or as requested by the Public Defender; and

• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EQUIPMENT:

Ability to operate a variety of office equipment such as computer and related software, copier, telephone, iPad, calculator, fax machine, and other equipment necessary to perform duties. Individual uses personal protective equipment as necessary. Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is required.

CRITICAL SKILLS/EXPERTISE:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Ohio criminal law;

• Ability to understand and apply rules, regulations, and guidelines;

• Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation;

• Knowledge of and the ability to use basic math and accounting concepts;

• Knowledge of and the ability to use security measures for handling confidential and sensitive material;

• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize assignments;

• Ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and recommend solutions using judgment, and analytical skills;

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;

• Ability to provide exemplary customer service including the ability to work effectively with customers who may be upset, distraught, irate, emotionally or otherwise unable to function with a reasonable range of constructive behaviors;

• Ability to exercise professional judgment, and independent decision-making authority;

• Ability to work independently, under pressure, and to set and achieve goals;

• Ability to organize and maintain large volumes of information and paperwork; and

• Ability to effectively plan independently and in collaboration with other staff units and outside agencies.

• Thorough knowledge, adherence and aptitude to follow safety policies, procedures and practices; and

• Thorough knowledge, adherence and aptitude to follow federal, state, county, and department policies and procedures, laws and regulations.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Work consists of highly complex, varied, non-standardized tasks requiring the application of numerous laws, rules, regulations and procedures. Individual will be providing representation in court to indigent criminal clients. May require longer work hours during trials.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Individual receives general guidance allowing for the planning of procedures and methods to obtain objectives. Work is not necessarily reviewed by a supervisor. Individual may be responsible for supervising other employees. Individual will be responsible to provide advice to indigent criminal clients regarding their case.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Contact is with co-workers, judges, court staff, employees of other county offices, private attorneys, and the general public. The purpose of these contacts is to guide and direct, check on work assigned, coordinate services, and handle questions about the work of the individual and the office.

Supplemental Information

Equal Opportunity Employer

M/F/D/V

Full job descriptions are available on the Class Specifications page.

Equal Opportunity Employer

M/F/D/V