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. Will consider candidates with a Juris Doctorate and the ability to obtain their State Bar License within 12 months.

Public Defender I: $68,952.00
Juris Doctorate degree, eligible for a Certificate of Admittance to the State Bar of Michigan. Conditional employment based on ability to obtain your State Bar License within 12 months of hire. Prefer one year experience in the practice of criminal law or law school internship/externship/clinic experience but will train the right candidate.

To qualify for placement as Public Defender II, III or IV 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: $72,363.20 - $81,432.00
Served as co-counsel or second chair in a prior trial (misdemeanor, felony, bench or jury) or equivalent experience. Criminal Law experience preferred.

Public Defender III: $77,792.00 - $87,526.40
Has practiced criminal law for one full year (as prosecutor, public defender, or private criminal defense) and has been trial counsel alone or handled a significant portion of a trial in two criminal cases that have reached a verdict with a minimum of one trial that included a jury.

Public Defender IV: $85,571.20 - $96,283.20
Has practiced criminal law for five years and been trial counsel alone or as lead for seven felony criminal cases that have been submitted to a jury or has a significant record of consistently high quality criminal trial court representation and the ability to handle a high-severity felony case.

A valid Michigan Drivers’ License is also required.

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); 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 $850 annually with an employer contribution of $1,950 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

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.


To learn more, search "LIVE, WORK, PLAY JACKSON, MI" or go to https://www.mijackson.org/31/Live-Work-Play