Assistant Public Defender - 12th Circuit Public Defender's Office

Job Summary

The 12th Circuit Public Defender’s Office is hiring a new assistant public defender. The salary for new attorneys is $70,000. Our office works together to represent the citizens of Florence county.

Under limited supervision, must be mentally and physically capable of representing indigent defendants accused of crimes in General Sessions Court, Family Court, Magistrates Court and Municipal Courts. Appropriately manages court time as scheduled, and provides legal advice to County personnel and the public. Reports to the Chief Public Defender.

Prepares and defends cases in the General Sessions Court system, Family Court, Magistrates Court and Municipal Courts. Representation of indigent defendants will require meeting with them in person at offices provided by the County, in the County Detention Center or in the South Carolina Department of Corrections or Juvenile Justice Representation of indigent defendants will also require attendance at Initial and Docket Appearances, preliminary hearings, detention hearings, bond hearings, pre-trial motion hearings and trials. Some travel may be required to attend to the aforementioned Court functions.

Receives, reviews, evaluates various records and reports related to casework including incident reports, victim/witness statements, case file reports, discovery requests, affidavits, citations, NCIC reports, confessions, criminal histories, trial rosters, dockets, juror lists, medical reports, autopsy reports, laboratory reports, fingerprint reports, SLED reports, court orders, hospital records, business records, bank records, photographs, etc. Prepares, files and/or serves petitions, alibi requests, legal memoranda, affidavits, motions, plea agreements, subpoenas, court orders, requests for dismissal, witness lists, trial rosters, photographs, exhibits, etc. Operates a variety of equipment such as a computer, printer, Dictaphone, copier, fax machine, pager, audio-visual equipment, tape recorders, calculator, vehicle, telephone, etc. Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the Public Defender, other staff members, law enforcement agencies, solicitors, private attorneys, defendants, witnesses, victims, court personnel. Judges, jurors, medical personnel, forensic experts, news media and the general public.

Must attend continuing legal education courses and obtain the necessary hours of continuing legal education as required by the South Carolina Bar and/or the Office of Indigent Defense in order to maintain license to practice law. Travel may be required to these courses. Must report to and accept instructions from the Chief Public Defender.

Please e-mail ecrayton@florenceco.org with resumes. We will get back to you very quickly!