Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Deputy Defense Attorney (criminal)

Posted 25 days ago

Job Description

Definition

Definition: Under general supervision of the Director, represents Community members, guardians, parents or other clients facing a variety of criminal, civil, juvenile, and traffic charges before the Tribal Court. This job class is treated as an FLSA Exempt position.

Essential Functions : (Essential functions may vary according to job-specific demands, but may include, but are not limited to, the following tasks, skills, abilities and general professional qualifications. This list of tasks are ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification).

Examples of Tasks

1. Interviews clients, police officers, and other witnesses; performs legal research work to obtain information necessary to prepare an appropriate defense on behalf of assigned clients before the Tribal Court.

2. Conducts legal research and writing, files motions and appeals (if necessary) meets with various parties involved which may include but are not limited to: the Community Prosecutor, Child Protection Workers and Substance Abuse Counselors on pending cases.

3. Represents clients both adult and juvenile in criminal proceedings such as Bench Trials, Jury Trials, adjudications, and post-conviction proceedings.

4. Performs other job-related duties that enhance and facilitate departmental operations.

Knowledges, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics:
  • Knowledge of SRPMIC Code of Ordinances, Federal Laws and policies.
  • Knowledge of legal research methods, legal research software, use of databases, legal principles and their applications.
  • Knowledge of case law appropriate to the defense being prepared.


  • Skill in preparing and presenting an effective defense for a variety of criminal, juvenile and traffic charges.
  • Skill in preparing and presenting an effective defense in child neglect, abuse, dependency; termination of parental rights; permanency and guardianship cases.
  • Skill in applying and interpreting statutes, ordinances and other laws, rules, regulations and policies as they pertain to legal issues presented.


  • Ability to establish effective communication skills to maintain a good working relationship with a variety of clients, Office of the Prosecutor, Social Services, Child Protection Workers, Tribal Law Enforcement personnel, Tribal Court Staff and others.
  • Ability to analyze, appraise, organize and present facts, law and argument clearly and logically, in both written and oral form.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Education & Experience: Juris Doctor with a minimum of three (3) years of criminal defense experience. Prefer experience/familiarity with tribal advocacy and judicial functions of tribal government.


  • Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.


  • Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.


Special Requirements

  • Applicants must pass a pre-employment drug test, have had NO felony convictions, and have had NO misdemeanor convictions within the last year.
  • Membership in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona is required.
  • Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the "Community Code of Ordinances", Chapter 11, "Minors", Article X. "Investigation of Persons Working With Children".

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified : Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted .

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.
905337428813c043b59fa493be2f6018