Virginia State Application PDF Word
The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission is committed to equal employment opportunity for all persons on the basis of merit and the bona fide occupational requirements of the positions allocated, including knowledge, skills, and ability. It is the Commission's policy to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or political affiliation. This policy applies to all phases of personnel administration including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, promotion, demotion, transfer, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation, selection for training, use of all facilities, and participation in Commission sponsored employee activities.
NOTE: All attorney positions require Virginia State Bar admission and good standing. The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission is committed to equal opportunity in its hiring practices and all other terms and conditions of employment.
APPELLATE DEFENDER
APPELLATE COUNSEL
CAPITAL DEFENDER
PUBLIC DEFENDER
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
SENIOR ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER II
INVESTIGATOR I
INVESTIGATOR II
SENTENCING ADVOCATE I
SENTENCING ADVOCATE II
OFFICE MANAGER
SECRETARY I
SECRETARY II
Provide appellate assistance to Public Defender offices for all appellate functions after a notice of appeal is filed. The Appellate Defender is responsible for the filing of petitions, briefs, notices, and other documents as required by law in both the Court of Appeals and the Virginia Supreme Court, and presenting oral arguments before panels and full courts when required. The Appellate Defender must comply with all deadlines. The Appellate Defender also provides supervision to other attorneys handling appeals in the central office and assists with training programs provided for Public Defenders and their staff as needed.
Qualifications include admission to the Virginia State Bar in good standing, familiarity with appellate practice and procedures, excellent oral and written skills, and commitment to quality appellate practice.
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Essentially the same job description as the Appellate Defender, except supervisory function is limited to appellate support staff.
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Capital Defenders serve at the pleasure of the Commission, devote full-time to their duties, and are not allowed to engage in private law practice. The Capital Defender is responsible for representing defendants charged with capital murder in jurisdictions served by the Capital Defender office. Each Capital Defender office is expected to provide quality defense services through all trial stages and appeals. Some travel is required. Capital Defenders are authorized to employ office personnel as determined by the Commission, secure office space, supplies, and incur expenses necessary to carry out the duties of their offices. Administrative duties include case management data collection and reporting as required by the Commission and by statute, monitoring of office budgets and insuring that requests for purchases, training programs, etc., are appropriate. Other duties may be assigned, from time to time, by the Commission.
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Public Defenders serve at the pleasure of the Commission, devote full-time to their duties, and may not engage in private law practice. Public Defenders are authorized to employ such assistants and other staff members such as secretarial and investigative personnel as determined by the Commission. Public Defenders secure office space, supplies, and incur expenses necessary to carry out the duties of the offices in their respective jurisdictions. Besides administrative duties, each Public Defender is expected to carry an active caseload. Each Public Defender office is expected to provide quality defense services to indigents charged with jailable offenses through all trial stages and appeals. Administrative duties include case management data collection and reporting as required by the Commission and by statute, monitoring office budgets and insuring that requests for purchases, training programs, etc., are appropriate. Public Defenders should possess a comprehensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure, knowledge of employment law, be proficient at legal research, and possess excellent management and supervisory skills.
Other duties may be assigned, from time to time, by the Commission.
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The Deputy Public Defender provides extensive supervision of Assistant Public Defenders, Investigators, and Sentencing Advocates, and coordinates the management and supervision functions of Senior Assistant Public Defenders. Deputy Public Defenders are expected to be actively involved in complex criminal cases, training programs within the office and personnel development. The Deputy should be able to assume full responsibility for the operation of the office in the absence of the Public Defender.
Deputy Public Defenders should possess a comprehensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure, knowledge of employment law, be proficient at legal research, and possess excellent management and supervisory skills.
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Senior Assistant Public Defenders perform many of the functions of Deputy Public Defenders. The extent of management and supervisory functions varies considerably between larger and smaller offices. This position requires excellent trial and appellate skills, and some supervisory and management ability. Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must.
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Assistant Public Defender II's will perform the more complex legal defense functions of a Senior Assistant Public Defender generally provide extensive supervisory functions as well. An APD II should be able to defend cases in all courts, and in some instances the most serious cases. Daily trial work is expected for this position. Supervision of investigative and secretarial personnel may be required.
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This is an entry level position and includes a variety of assignments and services. APD I's generally handle misdemeanor and some selected felony cases during the initial training period. During this time, supervision is provided by the Public Defender, Deputy Public Defender, Senior Assistant Public Defenders, and occasionally APD II's. APD I's also perform research, preparation of motions, petitions for appeal, and sometimes an APD I will serve as second chair in violent felony cases with a potential penalty of 20 years or more.
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This is a senior Sentencing Advocate position based on experience and performance as a Sentencing Advocate I or equivalent experience. The duties are essentially the same for Sentencing Advocate IIs and Sentencing Advocate Is, except that Sentencing Advocate IIs will often assist with training and are expected to assume more responsibility with the preparation of mitigation evidence. Qualifications include a college degree in social work or equivalent training.
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Responsible for working with defense team members, clients, and client support groups in presenting mitigation evidence and sentencing alternatives. Requires skills in research, communication, and interaction with other State and private agencies, as well as, excellent organization skills. Qualifications include a college degree in social work or equivalent training.
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This is an advanced-level investigator position. Duties include investigation of crime scenes, training responsibilities for Investigator I position, coordination of investigative functions, assisting with witness location, examination of forensic evidence, and generally assisting attorneys and Investigator I's with defense preparations.
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Similar to Investigator II but not requiring specific investigative coordination or training responsibilities. Interviews witnesses, including victims and co-defendants, conducts field work including crime scene investigations, forensic evidence evaluation, and responding to attorney requests for investigative assistance.
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Works directly for the Public Defender to ensure effective and efficient operation of the office. Support attorneys and staff by opening and closing cases and accurately typing and filing correspondence, memos and various legal documents in a timely manner. Communicate directly with clients, case related parties, and the public to ensure the quality of the attorney/client relationship and facilitate client advocacy. Manage information to provide accurate accounting and tracking. Work directly with the Commission office to assure compliance with policies and procedures. May supervise clerical support staff.
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Support attorneys and staff by opening and closing cases and accurately typing and filing correspondence, memos and various legal documents in a timely manner. Communicate directly with clients, case related parties, and the public. Manage information to provide accurate accounting and tracking. Must have good customer service, data entry, and word processing skills.
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Support attorneys and staff by opening and closing cases and accurately typing and filing correspondence, memos and various legal documents in a timely manner. Must have good customer service, data entry, and computer skills.
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