About Our Job

Who We Are

The Office of the Municipal Public Defender has been in existence since January 1, 2015, and is overseen by the City's Chief Municipal Public Defender. The creation of this office ensures that the City and County of Denver is on the same level with other progressive municipalities providing quality in-house Public Defense services for indigent citizens in the City and County of Denver. The Office of the Municipal Public Defender of Denver is a holistic, wrap around public defender office that offers legal representation and connections to behavioral health services through our Client Support Team (CST) for clients who are accused of traffic offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and cases in specialty courts in Denver County. Beginning in July 2024, our office will begin representing youth who are accused of Denver municipal ordinance violations.

The Office of the Municipal Public Defender (OMPD) has an exciting opportunity available as a Deputy Public Defender Youth Associate. The Deputy Public Defender Youth Associate will represent youth who are charged with violations of the Denver Municipal Code.

What We Offer  

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The expected starting annual salary for this position is $106,577.00-$141,214.00 based on experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to: 

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service 
• 457B Retirement Plan 
• 132 hours of PTO earned within first year
• 12 Paid Holidays per year, plus 1 personal holiday, and 8 hours of Denver Good Deeds volunteer time
• Education Refund Program (ERP) - a chance for the city to support your continued learning and career growth by investing in your future with the city
• Care Bank – 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (after the probation period is passed)
• Free RTD Eco Pass
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date 

Location

In this position you will work on site at the Office of the Municipal Public Defender located at: 710 W Colfax, Denver CO 80204. This position will be 100% onsite from 8:00AM – 5:00PM with flexible work hours as needed.

What You’ll Do 

As a Deputy Public Defender Youth Associate, you will represent youth who are charged with municipal ordinance violations. Additionally, you can expect to:

• Provide legal representation, advice and consultation to youths assigned to the Municipal Public Defender's Office
• Prepare pleadings, motions, orders, appeal briefs, and other papers required for trials, hearings, appeals, and other legal proceedings
• Interview clients and witnesses to gather information in preparation for trial.
• Prepare motions for continuances, dismissals, reduction of bail, and new trials and represent youth clients at numerous court hearings to include trials
• Manage OMPD’s juvenile courtroom, acting as a liaison between the agency and the Denver Municipal juvenile justice system
• Work with other agencies, law enforcement personnel and investigators to prepare cases for hearing
• Perform legal research and assists other attorneys with research of complex legal problems
• Any one position may not include all the duties listed. However, the allocation of positions will be determined by the amount of time spent in performing the essential duties listed above

What You’ll Bring

Our ideal candidate will have some or all of the following qualifications:

• Five (5) years practicing juvenile criminal law
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience
• Attended and/or presented at trainings in the area of juvenile representation
• Served on committees or other groups related to juvenile justice

Required Minimum Qualifications 

We realize your time is valuable so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following minimum qualifications:

• Education requirement: Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree
• Experience Requirement: Two (2) years practicing criminal law
• Education/Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.
• License/Certifications: Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire in accordance with