Job Description

The City of SeaTac is seeking an experienced and dedicated advocate who will provide part-time public defense services to represent defendants charged with misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors offenses in the City of SeaTac Municipal Court.

Due to a conflict of interest with the City's Public Defense Attorneys for court proceedings in the Superior Court and for appeals to higher courts, prospective attorneys will provide public defense services in a professional, skilled manner consistent with the standards set forth by the Washington State Bar Association for Indigent Defense Services.

SCOPE OF JOB DUTIES

• Provide defense services to all clients in a professional, skilled manner consistent with standards set forth by the American Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, the Washington Supreme Court, the rules of professional conduct, case law, and applicable court rules defining the duties of counsel and the rights of defendants in criminal cases. Counsel’s primary and most fundamental responsibility is to promote and protect the best interest of the client.
• Conduct case investigation and strategy, discovery review, motion work, plea negotiations, trial preparation and completion, and sentencing.
• Represent and advocate for defendants in various court hearings, including arraignments, pre-trials, pleas, sentencing, trials, review hearings, and RALJ appeals.
• Interview clients and witnesses to ascertain facts of the case and handle other details in preparation for trial.
• Research law, prepare legal briefs, and develop strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of the case.

COMPENSATION

A conflict public defender will be compensated at the rate of $550 per court appointment for the first 10 hours of a case. For every hour beyond the first 10, the attorney will be compensated at $99 per hour. A singular “court appointment” includes all charges arising from a specific incident or related facts.

An appointment is considered all time periods, events, and hearings related to the case up to and including the final resolution before the municipal court. A RALJ appeal is considered a separate appointment.

REQUIREMENTS

Attorneys must be certified to practice law in Washington State and will be asked to provide a valid WSBA number.

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