PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21014612
Date: Jun 3, 2025
The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforce\operations/human\resource\management/for\job\applicants/e\verify) .
Requisition No: 854319
Agency: Justice Administrative Commission
Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21014612
Pay Plan: Pub.DefndrsJAC PIB
Position Number: 21014612
Salary: $65,000.00
Posting Closing Date: 08/02/2025
Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/)
Assistant Public Defender
Annual Starting Salary: $65,000; Competitive raises
Geographic Location: Wauchula, Hardee County
Starting Date: approx.: Immediately
SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Prepare cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses
Interviews clients and prospective witnesses
Prepares or oversees the drafting of briefs, memoranda, pleadings, and other legal papers
Conducts legal research
Represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, dispositions, and other proceedings
Interviews clients in custody and makes initial decisions concerning bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial
Determines need for expert witnesses
Performs related work as required.
ATTORNEY QUALIFICATIONS:
Active member in good standing with The Florida Bar or recent law school graduate awaiting Bar Exam or results
Reside in the 10th Circuit or surrounding community within a reasonable time of accepting employment
Knowledge of criminal law and procedure
Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation
Knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
Ability to manage a high volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients.
Ability to make regularly scheduled court appearances; conduct case evaluation, investigation and preparation including but not limited to witness interviews, legal research, motion preparation, and related work as required; occasional unscheduled matters may arise
Basic computer skills
Commitment to public service and protecting the rights of the criminally accused
THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
Paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
(For more information, please clickwww.myfrs.com);
Flexible Spending Accounts;
Tuition waivers;
And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, visitwww.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN THE 10TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT:
Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties are ideally located:
On the I4 corridor midway between Tampa and Orlando
Less congested than major metropolitan areas
Less than an hour drive to the Gulf beaches and Florida's theme parks
Low cost of living
High quality schools
Beautiful Bok Tower, Legoland, and spring training home of the Detroit Tigers
World famous fishing and water sports on hundreds of lakes
See the real Florida in numerous state and local parks with hiking trails and bountiful wildlife
WE ARE AN AGGRESSIVE TRIAL OFFICE. IF YOU WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CASES; IF YOU WANT TO GET OFF YOUR CHAIR, OUT OF YOUR OFFICE AND INTO A COURTROOM; IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A TOP NOTCH TRIAL LAWYER - THIS IS THE OFFICE FOR YOU.
TO APPLY:
Submit resume through the People First website athttps://jobs.myflorida.com/
OR
Employer: Office of the Public Defender - Tenth Judicial Circuit
Contact Name/Title: Tami Locke, Administrative Assistant
Address: P.O. Box 9000 - Drawer PD; Bartow, Florida 33831
Phone: 863-534-4250; Fax: 863-534-4355; Email:pd10email@pd10.state.fl.us
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Location:
WAUCHULA, FL, US, 33873
Nearest Major Market:Sarasota
