Public Defender Attorney

Job Description:

Public Defender Attorney

Description

Job Summary

We are located at 318 N 5th Street by Mohave County Superior Court House.

About Public Defender:

"To ensure public confidence in the Mohave County justice system by honorably protecting the rights of every citizen as granted by United States and Arizona law and by enforcing the obligations placed upon the government when it desires to convict citizens of criminal actions."

Attorney I -> Salary Range 23 Step 1-8 $34.37 - $40.24/hr.

Attorney II -> Salary Range 25 Step 1-8 $37.89 - $46.61/hr.

Attorney III -> Salary Range 27 Step 1-8 $41.78 - $51.38/hr.

Attorney IV -> Salary Range 29 Step 1-8 $46.06 - $56.65/hr.

Work is subject to traveling to varying posts or job site assignments, call-backs or on-call status, and irregular schedules to include completion of work assignments on weekends and holidays.

Essential Job Functions

• Represents the assigned department in courts of law.
• Communicates and acts in a professional manner with the public, co-workers, and work contacts.
• Defends all classes of felony and gross misdemeanor preliminary hearings including murder cases, and murder cases in which the death penalty is sought to be imposed (if death penalty certified).
• Defends complex criminal cases; reviews evidence; interviews witnesses; prepares pre-trial legal memoranda; selects juries; prepares and presents opening and closing statements; examines and cross examines witnesses; makes and meets legal objections; and requests legal instructions.
• Evaluates criminal charges as filed and instructs investigators as to additional information needed to defend cases; evaluates the information and determines the appropriate disposition of the case.
• Evaluates criminal cases of newer attorneys; suggests lines of investigation, appropriate trial tactics and legal motions to use; gives advice as to appropriate dispositions.
• Administers programs in a specific field of criminal law; evaluates effectiveness of particular section in which assigned.
• Assists in coordinating court dockets including jury trials, preliminary hearings, bench trials, sentencing, and probation violation hearings and motions.
• As assigned, supervises and trains assigned attorneys or others in matters relating to the assigned department.
• As assigned, completes performance evaluations; may make hiring recommendations; recommends disciplinary actions; approves vacations and time off; prepares work schedules and assignments; supervises the activities of assigned personnel; monitors reports and recordkeeping activities filed by assigned personnel for completeness, accuracy, and adherence to policy and procedure guidelines; instructs personnel in departmental policies, procedures and techniques; and provides technical assistance and training.
• Makes presentations to consumer, civic, church groups and others concerning the assigned department’s office and the law.
• Serves on specific task groups as requested.
• Participates in policy-making discussions as requested.
• Possesses authority to make office-wide decisions if necessary in the absence or unavailability of the Department Director, as specifically delegated by the Department Director in strict accordance with the policies of the department.
• Obtains additional knowledge of legal, judicial and other job-related fields through reading of related information and materials and attending training and educational classes.
• Maintains files; compiles reports and statistics as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Attorney I:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA Law School.
• Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Arizona and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Arizona per Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38(g). May be hired prior to admission, but at a lower pay rate until full admission is obtained.
• OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications.

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Attorney II:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA Law School.
• Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Arizona and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Arizona per Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38(g). May be hired prior to admission, but at a lower pay rate until full admission is obtained.
• One (1) year of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work.
• Must have demonstrated trial skills through performance of both bench and jury trials at a minimum of the Justice Court level, Superior Court experience is preferred.
• OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications.

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Attorney III:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA Law School.
• Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Arizona and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Arizona per Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38(g). May be hired prior to admission, but at a lower pay rate until full admission is obtained.
• Five (5) year of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work.
• Must have demonstrated trial skills through performance of both bench and jury trials at a Superior Court level.
• OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications.

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Attorney IV:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona (please list on application), or eligible for admission by Rule 38(g).
• Seven (7) years’ experience as a licensed attorney, performing responsible, complex professional legal work.
• Some experience performing administrative and supervisory responsibilities.

• OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications.

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Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Principles, methods, materials, practices, and references utilized in legal research and presentation in civil/criminal law.
• Methods and practices of defending criminal/civil cases and of effective techniques in the preparation and presentation of cases in court.
• Court rules and procedures, rules of evidence, and Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Interviewing and investigative techniques.
• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision and training.
• Common law, State and Federal statutory, constitutional and case law.
• Mohave County Personnel Policies and Procedures, and Department policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Set priorities, plan, assign, supervise and evaluate the work of subordinate professionals, investigatory and clerical personnel.
• Train subordinate and/or less experienced professional personnel in legal research and presentation methods and procedures.
• Obtain additional knowledge of legal, judicial and other job-related fields through reading of related information and materials and attending training and educational classes.
• Analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned with difficult and complex cases and to effectively present such materials in clear and logical form and in an oral or written presentation.
• Understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations and precedents.
• Understand, interpret and apply pertinent federal, state and local rules, regulations, procedures and policies regarding legal work and services to include departmental procedures and requirements.
• Read, interpret and apply technical materials encountered as a result of work assignments.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and communicate tactfully and effectively with administrative officials, County governmental officials, employees, court officials, and the public both orally and in writing.
• Investigate and elicit information from people to include those who may be under emotional strain and/or angry and hostile.
• Prepare, present and conduct trial defenses and appeals effectively.
• Determine alternative courses of action.
• Present and argue cases in court and handle unanticipated problems smoothly.
• Maintain confidentiality, objectivity and freedom from prejudice.
• Manage problems which may be controversial or sensitive in nature.
• Understand and grasp ideas quickly and follow instructions with initiative and exercise good judgment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and documentation.

Mohave County has an extensive benefits package with exceptional health, wellness, and work/life balance offerings, financial & retirement benefits, comprehensive leave program, and more.
Check out our Benefits Guide for full details!

Closing Date/Time: 12/21/2025 5:00 PM Arizona

Salary:

$95,804.80 - $117,832.00 Annually