Salary: $65,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annually
Location : Durham County, NC
Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-08559
Department: Indigent Defense Services
Division: PUBLIC DEFENDER 16 DISTRICT
Opening Date: 07/08/2025
Closing Date: 7/21/2025 5:00 PM Eastern
Job Class Title: Assistant Public Defender
Position Number: 65012957
Section: Public Defender 16
Salary Grade: Flat Rated
Description of Work
SALARY GRADE: Flat Rated
Under the supervision of the Public Defender, the Assistant Public Defender job responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following: represent clients in criminal district and superior court; meet with and interview clients in preparation for court appearance; prepare and file appropriate motions; submit necessary investigation requests to appropriate investigator; research and utilize all applicable law; visit incarcerated clients regularly. Applicant must have superior court trial experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
Knowledge of: Candidate must have knowledge of Federal and State, constitutional, N.C. General Statutes, and common law necessary to defend criminal cases, knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures, knowledge of the rules of evidence, and legal research methods.
Skills: Candidate must be extremely organized and detailed with documentation of case files and able to multi- task. Candidate must have strong communication, writing, interviewing and organizational skills. Candidate must be self-motivated and demonstrate competent and effective advocacy skills.
Ability to: Candidate must be able to analyze facts, law, and related written documents and apply applicable law appropriately; conduct legal research; plan, develop, and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize, and conduct witness direct and cross examinations; deliver opening statements; closing arguments, make appropriate evidentiary objections and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.
Experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court is preferred.
Attach cover letter and resume.
Supplemental and Contact Information
INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Before applying, please read the for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings.
It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.
*NOTE* Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.
Carefully review the if you experience difficulty with the application process or attaching documents. For technical issues with applications or attachments, call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.
All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more, click on these links:
Charmaine J. Leeks
NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Human Resources Division
Judicial Branch employees are eligible for the North Carolina State Government benefits package. The package consists of a comprehensive collection of benefit options including medical coverage, defined benefit retirement, supplemental retirement, flexible benefits, supplemental insurance, and other miscellaneous benefits.
Employees of the North Carolina Judicial Department have the opportunity to participate in an array of benefit offerings depending on employment status. The describes benefit eligibility by employment status.
01
The North Carolina Judicial Branch requires applications to include all relevant education and work experience and for applicants to follow instructions associated with any requested attachments. Applications with "see attached" or "see résumé" in lieu of complete applications will NOT be considered. If you have not completed the application requirements, return to your application and verify it is complete before submitting it. Additionally, new employees must declare and receive approval for secondary employment prior to the time of hire. This practice helps to ensure that any supplemental employment outside the Judicial Branch does not have an adverse effect on an employee's Judicial Branch employment and it does not create a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest.

I understand my application will not be considered for employment if it is incomplete or if I have not included all requested attachments. I acknowledge it is my responsibility to disclose any supplemental employment to my supervisor and that if I am selected for this position, I will submit the required documentation.

02
Do you have a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school?

03
Do you possess an active license to practice law in North Carolina?

04
Do you possess criminal district court trial experience?

05
Do you possess criminal superior court trial experience?

06
Rate your ability to fluently speak, read, and understand Spanish.

None
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07
Where did you originally learn about this position/posting?

North Carolina state government careers website
Nccourts.gov
Indeed
LinkedIn
Monster
Zip Recruiter
NCSC (National Center for State Courts)
NASCIO (National Association of State Chief Information Officers)
Other job board/website
Employment Security Commission
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Required Question

State of North Carolina

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