ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER- ARRAIGNMENT ATTORNEY (Level II)
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER- ARRAIGNMENT ATTORNEY (Level II)
Posting Ends:Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Annual Salary Range:$79,060.80 - $88,982.40
Hours:Full Time Employee
Location:Public Defenders Office
Category:Attorney
Position Summary
Accepting candidates with a Juris Doctorate and the ability to obtain their State Bar License within 12 months. Serve as the attorney of record of indigent defendants in criminal cases ensuring that Jackson County meets all constitutional and legislative requirements. Easily apply by entering your personal contact information into our job application and uploading your cover letter and resume. Criminal law, jury trial, and high-severity felony case experience preferred but not required.
Position Description
SALARY COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE:
Seeking a Assistatn Public Defender Levels II- Arraignment Attorney. .
To qualify for placement as Public Defender II- Arraignment Attorney, candidates must have a Juris Doctorate degree, State Bar License with evidence of good professional standing. Qualifications as set forth in MIDC proposed Standard 7, compliance with Standard I CLE, and experience levels defined below. Higher compensation determined based on years of criminal defense experience with a record of high-quality criminal trial court representation and ability to handle high severity felony cases.
Public Defender II - Arraignment Attorney: $76,752.00 - $86,832.40
Served as co-counsel or second chair in a prior trial (misdemeanor, felony, bench or jury) or equivalent experience. Criminal Law experience preferred.
A valid Michigan Drivers’ License is also required.
BENEFITS EFFECTIVE DATE OF HIRE!
This is an exempt level position with excellent benefits, including health, life, disability, paid time off and paid holidays, effective date of hire!
CORE BENEFITS (Provided at no cost): $3,000 Cash-In-Lieu of Insurance; $30,000 Life Insurance, $30,000 AD&D; Long-Term Disability; Employee Wellness Benefits; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Holidays; Paid Time Off (based on length of service); Paid bereavement leave; and Education Assistance of up to $3,000 annually.
OPTIONAL BENEFITS (cost share required): Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision; Optional Life Insurance for employee, spouse and dependent children; Short-Term Disability; Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and/or Dependent Care); Health Savings Account; Consumerism Card; Legal Shield & ID Shield.
Full time employees are also offered an Employer match of up to 5% in our Defined Contribution Plan and greater than two times the employee contribution to our Retirement Health Savings Plan. The Employee contribution for the RHS Plan is $900 annually with an employer contribution of $2,050 annually.
For full benefit details, go to https://www.mijackson.org/439/Employment-Benefits
We are a Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer. For details about PSLF, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
OVERVIEW
Under the direction of the Chief Public Defender, the Assistant Public Defender II- Arraignment Attorney provides legal representation to indigent defendants at all stages of arraignment proceedings in the Jackson County courts. This position is responsible for advising clients regarding their constitutional, statutory, and procedural rights; advocating for pretrial release and appropriate bond conditions; and ensuring that clients are fully informed of the charges and consequences associated with criminal proceedings. The position is primarily focused on daily arraignment appearances and related case management responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions
1. Promoting and protecting the expressed interest of the client at all times, represents indigent and partially indigent adult criminal offenders at arraignment proceedings in the district and circuit court as assigned.
2. Advises clients regarding their constitutional rights, trial rights and procedural protections, conditions of bond and pretrial release, potential penalties and collateral consequences, and their right to counsel and continuation of representation.
3. Conduct client interviews to obtain relevant information concerning bond, release conditions, criminal history, employment, residence, family circumstances, and other factors pertinent to pretrial detention decisions.
4. Advocate for personal recognizance bonds, reasonable bond conditions, and least restrictive alternatives to detention consistent with applicable law.
5. Review charging documents, warrants, complaints, affidavits, and other materials necessary for effective representation at arraignment.
6. Ensure that clients understand court orders, future court dates, reporting requirements, and obligations imposed by the court.
7. Maintain accurate and timely electronic case records, including data entry, case notes, client contact information, and statistical reporting required by the Office of the Public Defender and funding agencies.
8. Coordinate with court personnel, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, jail personnel, and support staff regarding arraignment matters and case scheduling.
9. Identify legal issues requiring immediate attention and facilitate referral or assignment to trial counsel when appropriate.
10. Represent clients at probation violation hearings and related proceedings as assigned.
11. Conduct legal research and prepare written memoranda, motions, briefs, and other legal documents as requested.
12. Monitor compliance with applicable court rules, statutes, ethical obligations, and standards governing indigent criminal defense representation.
13. Must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills; the ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statues, administrative regulations and precedents and procedures; the ability to analyze facts, evidence and precedents and arrive at logical interpretation; set forth findings of fact and conclusions in written legal form.
14. Assist with policy development, training, and office initiatives designed to improve the delivery of indigent defense services.
15. Monitors legal developments, including legislation and court decisions which may impact the work of the department.
16. Maintains confidentiality with highly sensitive information and ensure confidential information is being stored in an appropriate manner consistent with the law and Rules of Professional Conduct.
17. Maintains accurate, complete and legible case files.
18. Attends meetings, conferences and continuing education opportunities as approved by the Chief Public Defender.
19. Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender.
20. Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
We're a great place to work and great place to live - check us out!
Join our team, our values, our purpose - Proudly serve the citizens of Jackson County:
* Quality & Efficiency: Our employees are committed to continuous improvement and getting the most value for the public resources entrusted to them.
* Integrity and accountability: Our employees behave in a fair and ethical manner and demonstrate a strong commitment to public services.
* Teamwork and Community: Our employees work collaboratively with each other and the community to achieve shared goals.