Tribal Public Defender
Havasupai Tribe
Havasupai Tribal Court
Position Title: Tribal Public Defender
Pay Rate: Dependant on Experience
Supervised by: Havasupai Tribal Council
Closing Date: Open until filled
Summary: To conduct the legal activities and services of the Public Defender’s Office; and to do related work as required.
Responsibilities: The Tribal Public Defender represents in the Havasupai Tribal Court indigent persons accused of crimes. Representation includes all stages of the proceedings following the arrest of the defendant. This will include meeting with the client, obtaining police and other investigative reports, conducting an independent investigation of the crime, legal research and motion practice, referrals to outside agencies as warranted, negotiating plea agreements or preparing and presenting a defense at jury and bench trials, and other appearances in the Havasupai Tribal Courts as required. The incumbent shall discuss the public defense program with judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and other persons to obtain information and possible action relative to defendants. Confers with office staff on clerical problems, record keeping, and reporting systems, and initiates changes as required. Dictates correspondence and prepares reports.
Term of Office: The term of office shall be for two (2) years.
Knowledge: Philosophy and practice of public defense in tribal courts; duties, powers, limitations, and responsibility of the Public Defender’s Officer; methods and problems of administering the work of a governmental law office; legal principles and their application with emphasis on criminal law; rules of evidence and the conduct of court proceedings; legal research methods.
Ability to: Investigate and defend criminal complaints; analyze difficult and complex facts and legal problems and apply legal principles and their practices; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; draft legal instruments and opinions; perform legal research; win the confidence and respect of members of the legal profession, public officials, and other persons contacted in the position.
Employment Standards:
a. Broad, extensive, and progressively responsible experience as an attorney in criminal law; or,
b. Equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, abilities, and license.
Qualifications:
1. Have a juris doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school
2. Be a member in good standing of the bar of any state or federal court.
3. Be at least (21) years of age.
4. Have criminal litigation experience and a demonstrated interest in Indian law.
5. Be of high moral character and integrity.
6. Have no felony convictions, no serious misdemeanor conviction, and, within the past twelve months, no misdemeanors in any court.
7. Be physically able to carry out the duties of the office.
8. Submit to and pass pre-employment background check and drug screen, including FBI criminal history background check
9. For persons who meet the above minimum qualifications preference will be given, in the following order, to enrolled members of the Havasupai Tribe, enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
Please submit a cover letter, writing sample three pages or longer, and resume to the
Havasupai Tribal Council
PO Box 10
Supai, Arizona 86435
Interviews will be taking place on September 19, 2011, but the position will remain open until filled.
