Job Description

The Chief Criminal Deputy Public Defender defends indigent adults and juveniles in major criminal cases.

Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the understanding, these hours are subject to change effective July 1, 2022, per AB424 which states Nevada must have bail hearings within 48 hours.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assists in the management, training, and monitoring of the performance of assigned staff. Responsible for recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and disciplining.
• Deals with complex litigation in the most serious criminal cases.
• Reviews law enforcement reports. Confers with law enforcement officers and witnesses.
• Prepares legal reports, opinions, motions, pleadings, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
• Prepares cases and witnesses for court. Represents the client in a professional, competent, and articulate manner.
• Conducts hearings and trials.
• Conducts legal research and analyses, interprets, and applies statutes, regulations, court decisions, and other legal authorities to use in preparing legal briefs, motions, and cases.
• Prepares responses to opposing counsel\'s motions or briefs.
• Interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs.
• Provides legal advice, guidance, opinions, and interpretations to clients. Informs client of updates and conducts follow-up conversations.
• Attends Continuing Legal Education (CLE) as required.
• Represents the department with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation.

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctorate
• Member of the State Bar of Nevada or be eligible to practice law under the Rural Practice Provision of the Nevada Supreme Court Rules

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the current concepts, policies, and practices of criminal and civil law.

Knowledge of legal research methods and materials * Working knowledge and correct usage of business English including spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and formats.

• Working knowledge of business correspondence formats, record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Working knowledge of personal computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases for the purposes of creating, editing and distributing information.
• Thorough knowledge of all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, county ordinances and regulations, department rules and regulations, case law and relevant court rulings.

Skills

• Supervising, assigning, directing, and motivating employees and planning their work assignments effectively. Creating a fair, unbiased, cooperative work atmosphere.
• Negotiating as a method of securing support, concurrence, acceptance, or compliance.
• Presenting information and arguments in a persuasive and convincing manner.
• Writing clear, concise, and effective reports and legal documents.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Understanding and carrying out complex written and oral communications.
• Using the tools and equipment listed below.

Abilities

• Analyzing complex legal issues.
• Establishing a good rapport with clients.
• Dealing appropriately with exposure to the consequences of acts of violence perpetrated against others.
• Complying with Elko County policies and departmental procedures.
• Managing multiple deadlines and competing demands successfully.
• Executing job duties under highly stressful circumstances.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and considerable independent judgment to manage relationships and situations whether or not established guidelines exist.
• Maintaining confidentiality.
• Solving practical problems and dealing with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors, city, county, state and federal officials and the public as needed. Dealing with problems courteously and tactfully.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Work is performed in an office or courtroom setting.
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, sit, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand or walk, frequently for extended periods of time.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be exposed to angry, upset or abusive individuals.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• Environment is generally clean with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, noise or odors.
• Tools and equipment used include personal computer, printer, scanner, telephone, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, postage machine and other associated office equipment.
• Incumbent will be asked to travel in a passenger vehicle.

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