Committee for Public Counsel Services - All Locations, MA
posted 1 day ago
About the position
The Public Defender Division of CPCS is seeking Trial Attorneys to provide criminal defense representation in various offices throughout the Commonwealth. The Public Defender Division provides legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts. Public Defenders begin their work by representing clients who are charged with criminal offenses within the final jurisdiction of the District Court, including misdemeanors and felonies, and some serious sexual offenses, and occasionally handle initial commitment proceedings. We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.
Responsibilities
- Interviewing clients
- Arraignment and bail advocacy
- Legal research and writing
- Pretrial investigation including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses, collecting and reviewing documentary evidence
- Preparing and arguing pretrial motions, affidavits and legal memoranda
- Dispositional investigations and advocacy
- Jury and bench trials of criminal cases
- Representation of clients in interlocutory proceedings
- Where appropriate, working collaboratively with private attorneys on cases assigned through the Private Counsel Division of CPCS
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Must be committed to serving a culturally diverse, low-income population
- Must be eligible to practice law in Massachusetts, either as a member of the Massachusetts bar, as a law school graduate under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03, or as an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction covered by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04
- Access to an automobile to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations
- Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely
- Demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in criminal cases
- Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
- Ability to work in a community and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively
