Lead Attorney - Gooding County

at Idaho Division of Human Resources in Gooding, Idaho, United States

State of Idaho Opportunity

Full-time (40 hours) $140,000 annually

The Idaho State Public Defender ( SPD ) is a newly created state agency that provides trial representation to indigent criminal defendants pursuant to Idaho Code 19-6005, 19-6009 (effective 10/1/24). The SPD is responsible for all indigent defense cases throughout the State of Idaho, including both juveniles and adults.

The SPD values its employees and offers meaningful work that has a direct impact on citizens across the state. Additionally, the SPD is a qualifying employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program ( PSLF ).

The primary purpose of the Lead Attorney is to provide direct representation of clients, oversee an institutional office, supervise the cases assigned to the office, and supervise the office staff. The Lead Attorney works with staff to achieve the State Public Defenders core goal providing zealous holistic criminal defense. Under the direction of the District Public Defender, the job of the Lead Attorney is to ensure effective representation and compliance with SPD policies and procedures.

This is a non-classified position that reports to the Litigation Director and the District Public Defender.

+ Defending indigent persons including adults in criminal cases, juveniles in delinquency cases and parents and children in child protection cases;

+ Representing misdemeanor, felony, or juvenile clients in court arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, sentencing, dispositions, probation violations and other proceedings;

+ Interviewing clients and prospective witnesses;

+ Preparing or overseeing the drafting of motions, briefs, memoranda, pleadings and other legal papers;

+ Conducting or directing legal research and analyses data and legal documents;

+ Applying case law, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Rules of Evidence and Constitutional principles;

+ Reviewing and synthesizing discovery;

+ Interviewing clients early and frequently and making decisions concerning such things as bail, release from custody, and mental competency to stand trial;

+ Determining the need for expert witnesses; locating appropriate experts and schedules them for trial if needed;

+ Regularly representing clients in motions hearings and jury trials;

+ Negotiating with prosecutors