Attorney - Unclassified - Circuit Public Defender, 5th Judicial Circuit
State of South Carolina
Posted: January 14, 2026 (1 day ago)
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State of South Carolina
Attorney General's Office
Location
South Carolina, 29210
Salary
Type
Full Time
More Legal jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves representing the state in high-stakes legal cases, especially appeals and challenges related to murder convictions and death penalty matters in both state and federal courts.
The role requires preparing legal documents, researching cases, arguing in court, and coordinating with other lawyers and officials.
It's a good fit for experienced attorneys who are detail-oriented, comfortable with complex criminal law, and able to handle intense, sensitive litigation under supervision.
Performs under limited supervision professional legal work for the State, its subdivisions, and officials.
Primarily assigned to the Capital Litigation Section involving the handling of murder appeals to the South Carolina appellate courts; direct appeals of death penalty convictions to the South Carolina Supreme Court; state collateral actions involving death penalty cases in the circuit and appellate courts; and federal habeas corpus litigation involving various South Carolina crimes in the federal court system.
Performs under limited supervision professional legal work relating to capital litigation and murder appeals in the South Carolina Supreme Court, including the reading of trial transcripts, research of legal issues, drafting of briefs, preparation of pleadings, and presentation of oral arguments before the South Carolina appellate courts.
This duty involves communication with trial counsel and appellate counsel, traveling to other locations to examine appropriate trial exhibits, coordination of appellate work with trial counsel, ordering of trial transcripts, and calendaring and scheduling of work to conform with the court dates.
This duty involves complex death penalty litigation as well as non-capital murder appellate litigation.
Performs under general supervision professional legal work relating to post-conviction relief in death penalty convictions.
Research legal issues, prepare pleadings and responses to applications for post-conviction relief involving death penalty convictions, and prepare returns, briefs, and oral arguments for appeals from the state court hearing.
Makes required arrangements for transportation pertaining to witnesses and death row inmates. Represents the State in the Court of Common Pleas and in South Carolina appellate courts on appeal.
Performs under general supervision professional legal work relating to federal habeas corpus relief proceedings in the Federal District Court, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Research legal issues, prepare pleadings and responses to petitions for federal habeas corpus relief, prepare motions and responses to filings, and make professional decisions on the handling of the case and appeal.
Briefs issues before the United States Court of Appeals and completes oral arguments, if necessary.
This job duty involves both death penalty matters as well as non-death penalty federal habeas corpus actions.
Position may require overnight travel.Position may require employee to work evenings and weekends.Position requires a valid driver's license and frequent driver duties.Position requires up-to-date certification(s).
Qualifications Must be organized and be able to work independently in meeting deadlines.Operates dictation equipment.Operate a computer or Westlaw.
Additional Information DRUG SCREENING, CREDIT CHECK, DELINQUENT TAX CHECK, GRIEVANCE CHECK, and SLED BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE REQUIRED.
THIS OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.EEOP Utilization Report available upon request.
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