Criminal Law - Defense Attorney in Albany, GA

Government

Albany, GA

Criminal Law - Defense Attorney in Albany, GA

Attorney

Min 1 yrs required

No

Job Title
Public Defender - Part Time

Job Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of this position is to provide legal representation to indigent defendants within the Municipal Court of the City of Albany. This includes several essential functions:

- Representing defendants in various court proceedings such as Jail Court, Arraignments, Bench Trials, Probation Revocations, and Code Enforcement.
- Conducting thorough case preparation activities which involve reviewing charges, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, preparing motions and legal documents, and negotiating with the Solicitor’s Office.
- Attending and participating in scheduled court sessions, which include:
- Jail Court on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30 ., with pre-interviews on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
- Traffic Arraignments on Mondays and Wednesdays with approximately 150 cases per session.
- Bench Trials on the last Monday and Wednesday of each month.
- Night Court monthly on Thursday evenings at Albany Technical College, with possible sessions at Albany State University.
- Friday Court for Probation Revocations, Marshal Arraignments, and Compliance Hearings conducted three times per month.
- Preparing legal briefs, correspondence, and filings while coordinating with court officials, law enforcement, and defendants.
- Advising clients about their legal rights, case status, and potential outcomes, while maintaining ongoing communication and trust.
- Ensuring compliance with all applicable court procedures and local ordinances.
- Maintaining accurate and timely case files and documentation in line with legal and ethical standards.

Education and Experience Information
Candidates for this position must have the following qualifications:

- At least one year of trial experience.
- Must be at least 25 years old.
- Must be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.
- Must possess a Juris Doctorate degree.
- Should be licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia.
- Preferred candidates will have previous trial and criminal law experience.
- Should possess knowledge of criminal law, the judicial system, court practices, and procedures, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for the job.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Driver's License.

Salary Information
The position offers compensation at the rate of hourly. The role is part-time and is not eligible for paid leave benefits but is eligible to participate in the City’s insurance plan. Compensation is determined by the Board of Commissioners.

Additional Information
- The Public Defender is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners for a term of two years.
- The estimated caseload includes approximately 268 cases per week across five or more court sessions.
- The work environment involves long periods of sitting or standing in the courtroom with a moderate noise level.
- The City of Albany is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.