Pinal County Public Defender's Office
Pinal County Public Defender's Office is a small law office offering attorneys the opportunity to pursue excellence in legal practice areas including felony defense, misdemeanor defense, treatment court representation, juvenile delinquency and civil mental health proceedings. Attorneys are appointed by the court to provide high quality legal representation to indigent clients and prepare cases for defense in all phases of court proceedings. Attorneys assess, prepare, negotiate, and litigate cases, represent individual clients in courtrooms, hearings, and negotiations, and learn the department guidelines and standards to effectively manager case files under basic supervision.
Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU.
Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job.
This position is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not a covered position under the Pinal County Merit System Rules. Incumbents in this position serve at the pleasure of their respective Appointing Authority. The employment relationship is "at-will" and employment may be terminated at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.
The position and salary will be determined based on applicants qualifications, if selected.
Advancement within the classification series is not guaranteed or automatic and may be delayed. Years of experience referenced in each classification is the minimum requirement, however, placement at job level is also dependent upon quality of work product, caseload complexity, and the ability to work independently. To be eligible for advancement to the next level in the classification series, the employee must perform successfully at the current level, meet the minimum requirements for the next level, and demonstrate the ability to perform the higher level duties.
Attorney I - Pay Grade 16 - $86,656 - $125,651
This is the trainee level classification in the Attorney series. Incumbents perform entry level legal work under close supervision
Attorney II - Pay Grade 18 - $99,212 - $143,858
This is the journey level classification in the Attorney series. Incumbents perform intermediate level legal work under general supervision.
Attorney III - Pay Grade 21 - $121,539 - $176,231
This is the senior level classification in the Attorney series. Perform legal work of greater complexity and difficulty, working under minimal supervision, exercising discretion, and independent judgment.
Typical Classification Essential Duties
- Provide high quality legal representation to indigent clients in the defense and resolution of cases.
- Assist in the defense of cases, review legal documents, and compiles and analyze case facts.
- Defend most classes of felony cases, all classes of misdemeanor cases, low-level to mid-level felony cases, civil mental health cases, juvenile delinquency cases and complex criminal cases.
- Review evidence, interview witnesses, prepare pre-trial legal memoranda, select juries, prepare and present opening and closing statements, examine and cross examine witnesses, make and meet legal objections, and request legal instructions.
- Evaluate charges as filed and instruct investigators as to additional information needed to defend cases, evaluate the information, and determine the appropriate disposition of the case.
- Conduct research and provide consultation involving complex and difficult legal issues.
- Apply legal principles to determinations on individual cases and problems.
- Confer with and offer advice and counsel to clients.
- Represent the clients at arraignments, hearings and trials, identify and subpoena witnesses, records, and other information required to defend the case, compile and present evidence, and argue facts of the case in relation to points of law, case law, and legal precedent, and interview and cross-examine witnesses.
- Manage assigned legal cases, confer with participants, negotiate agreements, and litigate and resolve cases.
- Evaluate case files and research missing and incomplete information and documents, manage collection and analysis of evidence, research files and computer databases, and update files and records.
- Review case status with supervisor and create, process, and file memoranda and legal documents.
- Cross-train in a wide variety of criminal and juvenile defense areas.
- Maintain the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
- To promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation
- Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client information, and restricted County information.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Requirements To Perform Work
Attorney I - Minimum Requirements To Perform Work:
- Juris Doctorate degree or Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited, ABA approved law school.
- Must pass a thorough background investigation.
- newly established Arizona Residents must have one
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 .
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who achieved a score of 260-269 on the Uniform Bar Exam administered after July 1, 2023, and who meet the eligibility criteria of the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program. See ALAP .
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who have been admitted to practice law in another state or territory of the United States who qualify under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39, or who meet the eligibility criteria of the Government Law Admission Program For Lawyers From Non-Reciprocal States. See AO .
Preferred Qualifications: Public Sector or Criminal Defense Attorney experience is preferred.
Attorney II - Minimum Requirements To Perform Work:
- Juris Doctorate degree.
- Two (2) years' experience in practicing law.
- Must pass a thorough background investigation.
- newly established Arizona Residents must have one
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39.
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who achieved a score of 260-269 on the Uniform Bar Exam administered after July 1, 2023, and who meet the eligibility criteria of the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program. See ALAP.
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who have been admitted to practice law in another state or territory of the United States who qualify under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39, or who meet the eligibility criteria of the Government Law Admission Program For Lawyers From Non-Reciprocal States. See AO .
Preferred Qualifications: Public Sector or Criminal Defense Attorney experience is preferred.
Attorney III - Minimum Requirements To Perform Work:
- Juris Doctorate degree.
- Five (5) years' experience in practicing law.
- Must pass a thorough background investigation.
- newly established Arizona Residents must have one
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 .
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who achieved a score of 260-269 on the Uniform Bar Exam administered after July 1, 2023, and who meet the eligibility criteria of the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program. See ALAP.
- Applications will be accepted from candidates who have been admitted to practice law in another state or territory of the United States who qualify under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39, or who meet the eligibility criteria of the Government Law Admission Program For Lawyers From Non-Reciprocal States. See AO .
Preferred Qualifications: Public Sector or Criminal Defense Attorney experience is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge