Public Defender – Chief, Adult Trial Division

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Job Opening: Chief, Adult Trial Division
Department: Office of the Public Defender
Posting Date: August 3, 2022
Closing Date: open until filled
Shift: Office hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, additional hours as necessary


Summary

The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation to the individuals facing a loss of freedom in the criminal, delinquency and mental health systems in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The office employs over roughly 70 attorneys and staff to provide zealous advocacy for our clients. The office represents several thousand clients each year in the District Justice Courts, the Court of Common Pleas and the Appellate Courts of Pennsylvania.


Essential Duties

Under the general oversight of the Public Defender and First Assistant, the Chief of the Adult Trial Division is responsible for supervising all adult criminal cases in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

Managing all attorneys handling the adult criminal Common Pleas caseload for the Office of the Public Defender

Staffing and scheduling for the Office of the Public Defender’s trial court appearances

Training and supervision for all Assistant Public Defenders representing clients in the Court of Common Pleas

Reviewing initial arrest paperwork and the creation of new files to identify specific needs in each case including investigation, social services, special assignment, etc.

Handling of individual vertically assigned cases to conclusion

Supervising support staff involved in pretrial assignments including social workers, investigators, paralegals and administrative staff

Identifying areas for operational improvement in the office and developing plans to execute those improvements

Developing and engaging in holistic representation practices that assist the client in collateral matters that impact the direct legal representation of the client

Working to advocate for structural change and adherence to national and statewide best practices that will benefit the interest of public defender clients

Performing related work at the request of the Defender or First Assistant, when necessary


Qualifications

Licensed and admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or eligible for reciprocity

A minimum of 5 years’ experience representing clients in criminal cases

Knowledge of the operations of the Delaware County criminal justice system preferred

Prior experience managing attorneys, preferably a public interest law firm

Thorough knowledge of criminal law, court practices, and procedures

Excellent organizational, oral presentation, and communication skills

Demonstrated commitment to public service and capacity for fairness

A strong work ethic, ability to manage a demanding workload, and decision-making skills

Strong communication, leadership and relationship-building skills

Residence Requirement: The County of Delaware has a residency requirement for employees. Anyone applying for this job must reside in Delaware County or be willing to move to the County within six months of starting employment.


Contact

To apply, please fill out our online application form.



Contact Us

  •   201 West Front Street,
         Media, PA 19063
  •   8:30AM - 4:30PM
           Monday - Friday
  •   610-891-4000
  • webmaster@co.delaware.pa.us

About Delaware County

Delaware County, presently consisting of over 184 square miles divided into forty-nine municipalities is the oldest settled section of Pennsylvania.


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