Job Description

Requisition No: 875788 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 16TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21010984

 Pay Plan: Pub.DefndrsJAC PIB

Position Number: 21010984 

Salary: $85,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 06/13/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Summary of Duties:

Prepares cases for defense of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses; interviews clients and prospective witnesses; prepares or oversees the drafting of briefs, memoranda, pleadings, and other legal papers; conducts legal research; represents misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, dispositions, and other proceedings; interviews clients in custody and makes initial decisions concerning such things as bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial; determines need for expert witnesses; locates appropriate experts and schedules them for trial if needed; performs related work as required.

Qualifications:

• 0-3 years of experience
• Must be an active member and in good standing with The Florida Bar
• Must be willing to reside in the 16th Circuit within a reasonable time of accepting employment
• Good knowledge of criminal law and procedure
• Good knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation
• Good knowledge of judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
• Good knowledge of the pleading and practice of effective presentation of court cases
• Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments
• Ability to appraise and organize facts to present evidence and other material in written and oral form
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with prosecutors, judges, and other professionals, as well as clients and the general public
• Good skills in conducting legal research and analysis of data
• Good skills in determining proper courses of action and presentation of facts and arguments
• Ability to manage a case load while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients.
• Ability to make regularly scheduled court appearances; conduct case evaluation, investigation and preparation including but not limited to witness interviews, legal research, motion preparation, and related work as required; Occasional unscheduled matters may arise
• Ability to recognize potential conflicts of interest requiring recusal
• Basic computer skills

To apply: Complete the online application process through People First or submit an application and resume to: kkocis@pd16.org

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

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