Thurston County Public Defense is currently recruiting for three (3) full-time Defense Attorney positions. A Defense Attorney practices in either District Court, Juvenile Court, or Superior Court with moderate to minimum supervision and/or general direction from a higher-level defense attorney. Immediate placement for these positions will be in Superior Court  (two (2) vacancies) for felony representation and in District Court  (one (1) vacancy) for misdemeanor representation consistent with summary of duties outlined below.

Depending upon qualifications, the successful applicant will be placed either at a Defense Attorney I, Defense Attorney II or Defense Attorney III level. The Defense Attorney III is distinguished from the Defense Attorney II and Defense Attorney I classification by years of experience and the ability to handle a full priority felony caseload and assists other attorneys in matters of trial strategy, tactics, and legal research and analysis.

District Court:
Manages a full misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor caseload. Prepares cases for trial, pre-trial and post-trial hearing and/or plea bargains the cases with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Also, handles miscellaneous calendar duties such as arraignment calendars, initial appearance calendars and interpreter calendars.

Superior Court:
Manages a full or partial caseload of A, B and C felonies. Prepares cases for trial, pre-trial and post-trial hearing and/or plea bargains the cases with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Also, handles miscellaneous court hearings, including but not limited to, preliminary calendars, arraignment calendars and non-compliance calendars.

Juvenile Court:
Manages a full caseload of parents in dependency and termination cases, including representation at all statutorily required hearings, conferences and family treatment court. Performs case evaluation, additional investigation, trial/hearing preparation, settlement negotiations, motions and trials.

For more information, including how to apply, click here.