Criminal Law - Defense Attorney in Waterloo, IA

Government

Waterloo, IA

Criminal Law - Defense Attorney in Waterloo, IA

Attorney

Min 2 yrs required

No

Job Title: Public Defender 2

Job Responsibilities:
- Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every stage of the criminal justice system.
- Receive training and mentoring from experienced public defenders to enhance skills and career development.
- Represent clients in court during pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trials, sentencings, and other court hearings.
- Prepare a defense by conducting legal research, gathering facts, and interviewing clients and witnesses to assess the merits of the case and determine the appropriate course of action.
- Conduct pretrial discovery, including depositions, withdrawal of pleas, and suppression motions.
- Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys.
- Work closely with clients to provide information, plan case strategy, and prepare for trial.
- Maintain communication with clients about case status and respond to client questions.
- Identify potential legal issues to advance a client's case, research applicable laws, and draft appropriate motions and briefs.
- Prepare various legal documents, including written arraignments, written guilty pleas, motions, briefs, and letters.
- May direct the work of investigators in line with internal office policies.
- Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports to the court, and close files as per office policies.

Education and Experience Information:
- Graduation from an accredited law school.
- Possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa.
- Experience equal to two years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
- Alternatively, current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Public Defender 1.

Salary Information:
- Hourly salary ranges from to .
- Biweekly salary ranges from $3, to $4,.
- Annual salary ranges from $81, to $125,.

Additional Information:
- The position offers a competitive total compensation package including robust benefits such as health, dental, life, and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
- Opportunities for professional development.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
- Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
- Employee Assistance Program for support.
- Employee Discount Programs from various vendors.

This is a non-merit position within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing - Public Defender. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.