Deputy Public Defender/Chief Trial Division
Apply NowCompany: State of Rhode Island
Location: Providence, RI 02902
Description:
Salary: $134,665.00 - $152,529.00 Annually
Location : Providence, RI
Job Type: Non-Union (99)
Job Number: 049/291
Department: OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENDER
Division: Central Management
Opening Date: 03/21/2025
Closing Date: 3/30/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Max Number of Applicants: 10
Pay Grade: 843A
Classification: Unclassified
Scheduled Work Days; Hours of Work: Monday- Friday 8:30-4:30
Work Week: Standard 40.0 Hours
Bargaining Union: Non-Union (99)
Class Definition
To act as technical advisor and legal expert to individuals referred to the Office of the Public Defender; to act as mentor, technical advisor and legal expert to other Assistant Public Defenders; to preside at trials and hearings in Superior and District Courts statewide, to act as a legal representative of the Office of the Public Defender in legal disputes and matters before police departments, administrative boards and committee meetings; to provide intake interviews and financial eligibility determinations as appropriate, to assist the Director of Training in developing training program for staff in his/her unit and to provide ongoing training; and to do related work as required. Responsible for the supervision of staff attorneys assigned to the Trial Division throughout the state, case assignments which includes determination of eligibility and attorney assignment in Providence County and oversight of case assignment statewide, liaison between the trial division and judiciary, prosecution, police, probation, scheduling, corrections, etc., individual attorney assignments, i.e. district court, violations, trial division, counties, etc., in conjunction with Public Defender, establish policies and procedures for the smooth and efficient operation of the Trial Division, assists the Director of Training in developing training program for trial division staff, providing ongoing training; and other related duties as assigned.
Illustrative Examples of Work Performed
To advise and represent the legal interests of assigned clients pertaining to the technical and legal aspects of criminal law. 2. As assigned, to preside at trials in any of the Superior and District Courts. This involves legal research and the preparation of briefs for memorandum as necessary. 3. As assigned, to provide legal assistance to inmates at the Adult Correctional Institutions, any Federal penitentiary, or any State prison requesting assistance from the Office of the Public Defender for the purpose of resolving pending criminal charges. 4. Oversight and evaluation of staff attorney work observing them in the courtroom when they are answering a calendar, arguing motions, in evidentiary hearings and at trials. 5. Mentoring of attorney staff by being available for issues such as brainstorming a case, strategy advice, client problems, difficulty with prosecution, judges, etc. 6. Designate work assignments ensuring coverage of all calendars, when attorneys may be ill, on vacation, at trial, etc. These assignments will be made weighing the best interests of clients, office operations and individual attorneys. 7. Resolve problems or glitches affecting the operation of Trial Division, including but not limited to, paperwork flow, secretarial problems, investigative issues, client complaints, social services concerns, etc.
To keep abreast of new federal and state rules and decisions, alert and advise officials of the Office of the Public Defender as to the legal and administrative effects of such rules and regulations. To do related work as required.
Required Qualifications for Appointment
KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws; a thorough knowledge of problems inherent in the criminal justice field; the ability to act as advisor and/or counselor to clients, staff attorneys and other personnel as appropriate; the ability to meet and deal effectively with officials of the State, Court, or local prosecution, the ability to conduct special research projects and prepare reports accordingly. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: EDUCATION: Such as may have gained through graduations from a law school of recognized standing, and EXPERIENCE: Such as may have been gain through employment as a practicing attorney or previous experience in a responsible position in a related field. SPECIAL REQUIRMENT: A graduate law degree comparable to a J.D. from an accredited law school.
For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at
Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.
Location : Providence, RI
Job Type: Non-Union (99)
Job Number: 049/291
Department: OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENDER
Division: Central Management
Opening Date: 03/21/2025
Closing Date: 3/30/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Max Number of Applicants: 10
Pay Grade: 843A
Classification: Unclassified
Scheduled Work Days; Hours of Work: Monday- Friday 8:30-4:30
Work Week: Standard 40.0 Hours
Bargaining Union: Non-Union (99)
Class Definition
To act as technical advisor and legal expert to individuals referred to the Office of the Public Defender; to act as mentor, technical advisor and legal expert to other Assistant Public Defenders; to preside at trials and hearings in Superior and District Courts statewide, to act as a legal representative of the Office of the Public Defender in legal disputes and matters before police departments, administrative boards and committee meetings; to provide intake interviews and financial eligibility determinations as appropriate, to assist the Director of Training in developing training program for staff in his/her unit and to provide ongoing training; and to do related work as required. Responsible for the supervision of staff attorneys assigned to the Trial Division throughout the state, case assignments which includes determination of eligibility and attorney assignment in Providence County and oversight of case assignment statewide, liaison between the trial division and judiciary, prosecution, police, probation, scheduling, corrections, etc., individual attorney assignments, i.e. district court, violations, trial division, counties, etc., in conjunction with Public Defender, establish policies and procedures for the smooth and efficient operation of the Trial Division, assists the Director of Training in developing training program for trial division staff, providing ongoing training; and other related duties as assigned.
Illustrative Examples of Work Performed
To advise and represent the legal interests of assigned clients pertaining to the technical and legal aspects of criminal law. 2. As assigned, to preside at trials in any of the Superior and District Courts. This involves legal research and the preparation of briefs for memorandum as necessary. 3. As assigned, to provide legal assistance to inmates at the Adult Correctional Institutions, any Federal penitentiary, or any State prison requesting assistance from the Office of the Public Defender for the purpose of resolving pending criminal charges. 4. Oversight and evaluation of staff attorney work observing them in the courtroom when they are answering a calendar, arguing motions, in evidentiary hearings and at trials. 5. Mentoring of attorney staff by being available for issues such as brainstorming a case, strategy advice, client problems, difficulty with prosecution, judges, etc. 6. Designate work assignments ensuring coverage of all calendars, when attorneys may be ill, on vacation, at trial, etc. These assignments will be made weighing the best interests of clients, office operations and individual attorneys. 7. Resolve problems or glitches affecting the operation of Trial Division, including but not limited to, paperwork flow, secretarial problems, investigative issues, client complaints, social services concerns, etc.
To keep abreast of new federal and state rules and decisions, alert and advise officials of the Office of the Public Defender as to the legal and administrative effects of such rules and regulations. To do related work as required.
Required Qualifications for Appointment
KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws; a thorough knowledge of problems inherent in the criminal justice field; the ability to act as advisor and/or counselor to clients, staff attorneys and other personnel as appropriate; the ability to meet and deal effectively with officials of the State, Court, or local prosecution, the ability to conduct special research projects and prepare reports accordingly. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: EDUCATION: Such as may have gained through graduations from a law school of recognized standing, and EXPERIENCE: Such as may have been gain through employment as a practicing attorney or previous experience in a responsible position in a related field. SPECIAL REQUIRMENT: A graduate law degree comparable to a J.D. from an accredited law school.
For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at
Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.