PUBLIC DEFENDER

Examples of work

• Has general responsibility for the operation of the office of the Public Defender.
• Supervises 18 trial offices and sub-regions and the Appellate Office within the Office of the Public Defender.
• Appoints and removes such deputies, officers, and other personnel as may be required for the conduct of the Office of the Public Defender.
• Establishes policy for the Office of the Public Defender.
• Adopts, issues and promulgates in the name of the Office of the Public Defender, such rules and regulations as may be authorized by law.
• Directs the, maintenance of one or more trial pools of lawyers who shall be available to serve as counsel on a case basis as needed and engages such counsel as necessary in order to achieve a proper balance between the services to be provided and the efficiency of the operation as a whole, as well as to stimulate the continual development of professional experience and interest in the administration of criminal justice.
• Engages counsel on a case basis whenever needed to meet caseload demands, or to provide independent counsel to multiple defendants whose interests may be in conflict.
• Enters into contracts with private or public organizations that are equipped to provide legal services for indigent defendants or to execute any lawful functions of the Office of the Public Defender, as occasion may require.
• Presents speeches to varied groups on subjects pertinent to the Office of the Public Defender.
• Directs arrangements for the services of volunteer workers or consultants at no compensation or at nominal or token compensation and directs their reimbursement for proper and necessary expenses.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Consults and cooperates with professional bodies and groups concerning and concerned with the causes of criminal conduct, the development of effective means for reducing and discouraging the commission of crime, the rehabilitation and correction of persons charged and convicted of crime, the administration of criminal justice and the administration and conduct of the Office of the Public Defender.
• Directs the maintenance of proper financial records in respect to particular cases handled and develops records for use in calculation of direct costs of all or any aspect of the operation of the office.
• Directs the necessary arrangements to coordinate the services of the Office with any federal program to provide counsel to the indigent, and to arrange for the receipt by the Office, whenever possible, of sums allowable under such federal programs.
• Directs liens be made against defendants for services rendered by the Office as required.
• Directs provisions for legal representation for juveniles as required.
• Directs collection of monies due the State for services rendered by the office, as required.
• Directs the investigation of the financial status of each defendant represented by the Office.
• Reports on the Office's operation as the Governor or the legislature may from time to time request, or as may he required by law.
• Solicits and accepts grants of funds from the Federal government and from private foundations, and allocates or restricts the use of such funds as may be required by the grantor.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related unit.

Experience

Ten (10) years of legal and administrative experience in government or the private sector, or equivalent skills.

License

Admission to the bar of the State of New Jersey.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations in the field of criminal law.
• Knowledge of judicial procedure.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret laws and to develop policy, regulations and programs therefrom.
• Ability to assign, instruct and direct a large and varied staff.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the Governor, Department Heads and key staff in the State Government; key local, state and federal members of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and of the legal profession.
• Ability to present speeches to varied groups on subjects pertinent to the Department.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.