Criminal Defense Attorney - Remote Candidates (80365)

Salary : $67,038.40 - $169,353.60 Annually
Location : Roswell, NM
Job Type: Career Appointment, Full-Time
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number: 80365
Unit: 5th District-Chaves-Roswell
Division: 5th District-Chaves-Roswell
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 12/13/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Objectives Summary
The Law Offices of the Public Defender, we understand the importance of flexibility in today's legal landscape. While we have a dedicated office in Roswell, NM we wholeheartedly welcome candidates who reside in New Mexico and can telework and manage their cases effectively from a remote location.

Travel to the Roswell office will be required for trials, client visits, and upon the discretion of management.

Your primary focus will be on providing high-quality legal services, developing strategies, and advocating for clients in court. If you're ready to take the next challenge in your legal career, work with zealous colleagues, and represent clients who need your expertise in Roswell, we welcome you to apply!

Pay Information

***This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $1.30 hourly / $2,704.00 annually.

Hourly pay differential reflect retention pay incentives, as applicable to the position advertised.***
Public Defender 3:
Average pay ranges from $44.25 - $53.01 per hour

Public Defender 4:
Average pay ranges from $49.90 - $58.53 per hour

Public Defender 5:
Average pay ranges from $56.00 - 70.58 per hour

Essential Functions
Criminal Defense Attorney PD3, PD4 or PD5:
Incumbent will be considered for a Public Defender 3, 4, or 5 classification. Classification will be determined at the time of hire based on applicant's job related qualifications and agency critical need.

Public Defender 3 (PD3):

• Attorneys at this level should be able to represent clients in all misdemeanors or juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to lower levels attorneys and law clerks.
• Works under the direction and guidance provided by higher level Attorneys and/or Managing Attorney.
• Will conduct plea bargaining when appropriate with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.

Public Defender 4 (PD4):

• Positions at this level handle felony cases such as burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes and probation violations with limited supervision.
• May handle more complex level felonies with some guidance/direction from a higher level attorney/managing attorney.
• Has acquired sufficient knowledge and/or experience to handle an appellate caseload.
• Has knowledge and experience to prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court with some direction from higher level Attorneys.
• Provides guidance and advice to lower level attorneys.
• Works independently and is able to recognize and resolve complex issues related to the caseload.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.

Public Defender 5 (PD5):

• Positions at this level handle all levels of criminal cases and legal matters including the most complex felonies, including high profile cases, such as capital cases.
• Can act with independence with little guidance.
• Has acquired sufficient knowledge and experience to handle an appellate caseload.
• Has knowledge and experience to prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and for Supreme Court.
• Incumbents in positions at this level are recognized as an expert in one or more areas of criminal law.
• Positions at this level may also provide supervision from a lead work perspective to attorneys at lower levels and conduct in-house training for attorneys.
• Works independently and is able to recognize and resolve complex issues related to the caseload.
• Provide input to the performance review and development of attorneys at lower levels.
• Provides key input into the development of policies and procedures for the assigned organization unit and/or program.
• Trains, coordinates and advises less experienced public defender attorneys to include co-counseling.
• Conducts legal research/analysis of laws, precedents, legal issues, procedural rules, in preparation of cases.
• Reviews and investigates client cases to determine legal position and propose legal strategy.
• Prepares for litigation and appeal through initiation of legal documents, review of case information, obtaining evidence, conducting interviews, preparation of witnesses to testify.
• Researches changes in laws, legislation, rules court decisions, case precedents, to determine/ anticipate legal problems and propose resolutions.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports, memoranda in opposition, briefs, legal documents, motions, correspondence, and appeals for clients.
• Counsels and advises clients on cases such as pleadings, arraignments, trials, appeals.
• Represents the client in legal matters, such as motions, hearings, litigation and appeals.
• Explains, interprets and keeps client informed on changes in law, court decisions, legal issues and problems.
• Attends seminars, training classes and reviews current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skill and knowledge.
• Conducts plea bargaining with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Follows through on case by ensuring client release, client payments.
• Performs related work as required.
• Depending on location: may assist with (CLIP) program or coordinate volunteer/intern/extern programs.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: An employee with this classification may be required to perform at a PD5, PD4, PD3 level or duties of a lower classification without additional compensation. Employee will be required to show competence in all levels PD2 through PD5.
Minimum Qualifications

Current licensure as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and one (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.

Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
Collective Bargaining: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Exempt: (including Managers/Supervisors, Executive, Administrative, Professional Exempt Status): In accordance with DOL FLSA and LOPD NMAC and LOPD's Compensation Agreement that is signed upon hire during onboarding, classifications identified as Exempt may be compensated for all authorized hours worked over 80 hours in a pay period. These classifications are eligible for compensatory time (paid time off accrued) at an even (1:1) rate if they request to work extra hours in advance and get approval from their supervisor. These classifications are not eligible for cash payments for extra hours worked. Compensatory time may be paid-out upon leaving the department depending on budget availability.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.
The State's General Services Department Risk Management Division, Employee Benefits Bureau (EBB), is responsible for the procurement and oversight of employee benefits - including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance. The State's Group Benefits Plan also offers COBRA, Flexible Spending Account Programs, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Erisa Administrative Services, Inc. (Erisa) is the State's Third Party Administrator. They provide benefits administration to all plan participants, and offer knowledgeable staff to answer your questions. To learn more about the benefits available please

In addition to the benefits listed above, the Law Offices of The Public Defender offers a retirement plan and a medical program for retirees. For more information regarding the plan you can visit the following websites:
Total Compensation Package

As an employee of the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD), you receive regular pay for your services. The other part of your total compensation is the value of the benefits LOPD makes available to you and, if applicable, your family. The Total Compensation Estimator is for illustrative purposes only and provides benefits-eligible employees an estimate of their total compensation based on selected options from the drop-downs in the estimator.

• Please to download the Total Compensation Estimator on our , Join Our Team section.

This estimator is not a legal document. All benefits are governed by the actual benefit plans, which have precedence over the information reported in this calculator. Rates are not guaranteed and may change annually based on legislative decisions. If you have any questions about this estimator, don't hesitate to get in touch with Human Resources at
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Please contact for questions.
01

CDA Q:1Which of the following do you possess:

• Current licensure as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico
• Current license in good standing from another state and eligible to apply for Public Employee Limited License pursuant to Rule 15-304 NMRA.
• None of the above

02

CDA Q:2How many total years of experience as a practicing attorney do you have documented in the Work Experience section of your application?PLEASE NOTE: If the years of experience that you indicate below cannot be found in the Work Experience section of this application, your application may not be eligible for further consideration. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your work experience at this time. If you are attempting to attach documents, but are unable to, you should email lopd-hr@lopdnm.us. with the documents and your contact information. Or, if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview.

• 15+ years of experience
• 14 years of experience
• 13 years of experience
• 12 years of experience
• 11 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 1 year of experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• None

03

CDA Q:3
Please provide licensure details below for all states in which you are licensed or have been licensed to practice law including license number, location issued, expiration date and status.PLEASE NOTE: if this information is not provided, your application may not be recognized as being qualified for this position. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your licensure details (as requested above) at this time. If you are attempting to attach the documents to support the details of your licensure, but are unable to, you should email lopd-hr@lopdnm.us with the attachments and your contact information. Or, if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview.
04

CDA Q:4
How many total years of experience in Criminal Litigation experience do you have documented in the Work Experience section of your application?PLEASE NOTE: If the years of experience that you indicate below cannot be found in the Work Experience section of this application, your application may not be eligible for further consideration. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your work experience at this time. If you are attempting to attach documents, but are unable to, y