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Assistant Public Defender

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Durant, OKFull-timeSeen 4 days agoSeen in employer's feed 4 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Durant, OK
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

State Bar License

Job overview

The Assistant Public Defender will defend indigent clients in felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases before the Choctaw Nation District Court, managing caseloads, preparing and arguing cases, and advising on legal rights while supporting tribal justice initiatives.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Criminal DefenseJuvenile LawDeprived Case ProceduresStrong JudgmentEvaluation SkillsJury Trial ExperienceCultural Competence

Qualifications

Juris DoctorateState Bar LicenseFive Years Criminal Defense ExperienceCriminal, Juvenile, Deprived Case Experience

Full job description

Job Purpose or Objective(s): You will defend all indigent clients in felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases that are punishable by incarceration in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma District Court. You will report to the Public Defender Director.

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Primary Tasks:

  1. You will manage caseloads, which includes interviewing and advising clients of their legal rights and obligations. Interviewing witnesses and potential witnesses, including police officers and expert witnesses.

  2. Prepare cases, appear in Tribal Court, and represent clients charged with Tribal offenses at Tribal Court hearing, preliminary hearings, bench trials, and jury trials.

  3. Argue special actions and appeals.

  4. Recommend additional legislation necessary to upgrade the Office of Public Defender or to improve the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma justice system.

  5. Review assignment of indigency status to identify clients who have available resources, collecting costs of representation when possible.

  6. Perform responsibilities according to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma law.

Requirements:

  • Juris Doctorate from accredited law school

  • Licensed to practice law by a State within the United States

  • Experience with criminal, juvenile, and/or deprived case procedures.

  • Application of professional knowledge and ability by possessing strong judgment and evaluation skills

  • Jury trial experience in felony, misdemeanor and/or deprived custody cases

  • Willingness to understand, learn and appreciate Choctaw culture and tradition and cultural differences of clients.

  • Five [5] years of criminal defense experience in state, federal, and/or tribal court

Job Identification: 31911

Job Category: Legal

Posting Date: 09/28/2026, 9:18 PM

Job Schedule: Full time

On-Site/Remote: On-Site

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