Public Defender

The Public Defender will represent individuals subject to any criminal complaint filed in the Mescalero Apache Tribal Court. The Public Defender will work with the Chief Prosecutor?s Office to resolve criminal cases by deferred prosecution for treatment, counseling, family therapy or other options, or plea agreement or trial or sentencing and/or appeal. The Public Defender will work to resolve matters in an ethical and professional manner.

This position description may not include all of the listed duties, nor do all of the listed examples include all tasks which may be found or assigned to this position.

Minimum Qualifications

• A law degree from an ABA approved law school.
• I to 5 years working in a court as a public defender or in a tribal court setting or a court setting of any jurisdiction;
• If no experience, law courses in trial practice, clinical practice, law journal or moot court competition
• Basic understanding of Federal Indian Law, and
• Knowledge of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

Licenses and Certifications:

• A state or tribal bar license is preferred although not a pre-requisite to obtaining the appointment. However, the candidate must obtain license to practice law within one year of the date of hire.
• Must possess a valid New Mexico driver's license and be insurable, and
• Must submit to a background check.

Tribal preference and Native American Indian preference shall apply to all positions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Represent individuals in criminal court for all matters filed against them.
• Conduct legal research and compose motions and pleas on behalf of the defendants.
• Create forms for eligibility of representation, conflicts, and any other document needed to represent individuals in criminal court.
• Work with the Tribe on any issues involving code development.
• Assist the Chief Judge in the development of the court rules of criminal procedure.
• Develop relationships with the local, state and federal Public Defender's and Prosecutors office and where necessary, other Tribal Prosecutors and Public Defenders
• Work with the Wellness Court Team to help admit potential individuals into that program, and
• Adhere to the Professional and Ethical Rules of Responsibility
• Perform other duties as assigned.