SALARY GRADE: Flat Rated

We are looking for a motivated individual who is excited about working in the criminal justice system to assign indigent clients!

The Office of the Public Defender, District 5, seeks a qualified individual to assist lawyers and staff with the investigative duties needed to defend criminal and juvenile cases, and to defend parents in cases initiated by the Department of Social Services.

The work involves cases assigned to the the District 5 Public Defender's Office at the New Hanover County location in Wilmington, NC, however, there may be occasions when it is necessary to report to the Pender County office. Hours of employment are 8:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday - Friday. Occasional weekend and evening hours may be required, depending upon the circumstances of casework.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

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  Locate and interview clients and witnesses, investigate cases as directed by attorneys and staff, collection information used to verify evidence or to substantiate innocence.
• Visit clients and witnesses in jail, prison or at their homes and locations convenient to them to conduct interviews, prepare written reports and document all investigation for counsel and other members of the defense team.
• Determine relevant facts, opinions, or background information from clients an witnesses and evaluate information with the assigned attorney.
• Photograph, measure, and draw locations and crime scenes to scale to determine its relationship to the physical evidence.
• Review police reports, phone records, dash/body/traffic camera footage and evaluate their relevance to the case and prepare a report for the defense team regarding the same.
• Research criminal histories of defendants, witnesses, and potential jurors.
• Ensure appearance of witnesses at time of trial and assist in witness preparation.
• Assist counsel with facts of the case during trial.
• Conduct special investigations as directed.
• Willingness to do non-investigative work as needed and directed by the office staff, including but not limited to answering phones, collecting mail and documents from the courthouse and district attorney's office, coordinating clothes for client court appearances, and assisting with case assignment and client communication.
• Conduct internet research, including research of various social media sites and other sources of information.

Knowledge of: criminal law and the local court system; evidence collection, investigation, and identification techniques and procedures; and information sources and the ability to extract information from those sources.

Skill in: computers and word processing to prepare reports, motions, orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents; and effectively communicate with people of diverse backgrounds both orally and in writing.

Ability to: plan and organize an effective approach to the investigation of complex cases and to independently develop leads; schedule work to achieve results on time; prepare clients, their families, and witnesses for court; work irregular hours in conducting investigations; make pertinent observations and to analyze those observations with the charges in a given case; and inspire the confidence of the community in the public defender's office; and an ability to speak, read, and understand Spanish.

Graduation from a four year college or university, preferably in the field of law, criminal justice, psychology, or sociology, and one (1) year of experience in legal, judicial, law enforcement or investigative work. An associate degree with three (3) years of experience in the above mentioned fields may substitute for the four year college degree requirement. Other combinations of education and experience that provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered for applicants who do not have the above education requirements.

Management prefers applicants with an investigator's license (NC Justice Academy Criminal Investigative Certificate or private protective services license).

The ability to fluently speak Spanish is highly preferred but not required.