ARRAIGNMENT ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I/II/III

As an assistant trial lawyer to the appointed county public defender, under either general or direct supervision of managerial/supervisory staff, this developing, professional level - trial lawyer position serves as an integral part of the arraignment legal defense team. This position provides legal representation on behalf of all defendants charged with criminal or civil violations who are assessed by the courts as being without sufficient resources to retain legal counsel. In addition to core public defense duties, this role includes providing Padilla-required advisories on the immigration consequences of criminal charges to public defender offices within the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission's (MIDC) Southeast Region and connecting clients to appropriate resources for their immigration-related needs.

This position is designed for attorneys with experience or a strong interest in immigration law as it relates to criminal defense. Fluency in Spanish is preferred.

Position is initially under close supervision and as trial attorneys gain greater experience to perform more independently, employees gradually receive more complex assignments.

Advancement to LEVELS II and III are made after gaining required experience while demonstrating acceptable work proficiency.

Essential Duties:

Provide required advisories under Padilla v. Kentucky to indigent clients of the MIDC Southeast Region regarding the potential immigration consequences of criminal charges, plea agreements, and convictions.

Consult with public defenders handling cases involving noncitizen clients to assess risks related to deportation, inadmissibility, or other immigration penalties.

Work with public defense teams across the MIDC Southeast Region to be an immigration law resource and offer guidance on criminal-immigration law intersections.

Prepare advisory memoranda on the immigration consequences of specific charges or case dispositions for defense attorneys.

Refer clients to immigration specialists and legal service organizations for further assistance with their immigration matters.

Interviews clients, witnesses, professional experts, and law enforcement personnel while also examining police reports and investigating crime scenes to gather available facts for use in legal representation.

Connect clients with appropriate community resources for immigration-related needs, including access to nonprofit legal aid, advocacy groups, and social services.

Stay updated on changes in immigration law and policies that may impact noncitizen defendants and advise public defenders accordingly.

Develop and provide training to Assistant Public Defenders and staff on Padilla requirements and best practices for advising noncitizen clients.

Engage in community outreach and advocacy efforts related to the intersection of immigration and criminal law.

Investigates or assigns to an investigator the background facts for clients by interviewing friends, family associates, schools, social agencies, and employers while also gathering data such as police records, school records and employment histories.

Provides effective counseling to clients for a realistic evaluation of the facts and evidence in their case to ascertain a resolution or legal action that is in their best interest, such as bench or jury trials or other alternative case dispositions.

Effectively represents the appointed county public defender in providing competent legal representation for clients charged with criminal or civil violations at arraignments, pre¬trial conferences, motions, sentencing, preliminary examinations for felonies, abuse and neglect matters and juvenile delinquency cases.

Effectively represents the appointed county public defender in providing competent legal representation to clients in the conduct of jury or bench trials within the courts in delivering the case to include presenting opening and closing statements, arguing motions, and calling and examining witnesses.

Reads extensively to keep current on new laws, precedents, and court procedures.

Maintains a professional demeanor and appearance in and out of court.

Regularly confer with supervisor regarding status and direction of cases.

Discuss concluded cases with supervisors and colleagues to review appropriateness of methods and techniques used in providing competent legal defense to clients.

Assists effectively in training, giving work assignments, supervising, and evaluating volunteer student interns.

As assigned, attend, and participate, as the representative of the Public Defender, community or committee meetings on topics related to the functions of the Public Defender's Office.

As assigned, once qualified and on a rotating basis, work weekend and holiday duty.

Complies with all standards promulgated by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission including, but not limited to, standards regarding training, education, and CLE requirements.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong understanding of immigration law as it pertains to criminal defense, particularly Padilla v. Kentucky and its application in Michigan courts.

Fluency in Spanish (both written and spoken) is preferred.

Ability to assess and communicate the immigration consequences of criminal charges and plea deals.

Excellent legal research and writing skills for preparing advisories and consultation materials.

Strong courtroom advocacy and litigation skills within the scope of criminal defense.

Ability to collaborate with public defenders, investigators, and external immigration law specialists.

Competency in connecting clients to external resources for immigration support services, including legal aid organizations, advocacy groups, and social services.

Membership in good standing in the State Bar of Michigan.

Possess a valid Michigan driver's license.

Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Ability to travel within the MIDC Southeast Region as needed.

Possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school.

LEVEL II - GRADE 30: Two (2) years of LEVEL I experience required with acceptable work performance.

LEVEL III - GRADE 32: Three (3) years of LEVEL II experience required with acceptable work performance.

The above job description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.