Public Defender independent contractor/firm, Town of Bluffton
The Town of Bluffton is seeking proposals from interested and qualified individuals to provide defense services in the Bluffton Municipal Court. Qualified individuals will have graduated from an accredited law school, attained a Juris Doctorate degree, and are a member in good standing with the South Carolina Bar; prior experience in handling criminal cases and criminal jury trials, particularly in municipal or magistrate courts, is preferred. The target start date for performing these services is approximately late May 2025.
The scope of services shall include but not be limited to:
- Represent persons in their defense of criminal and traffic offenses heard in the Bluffton Municipal Court for which a sentence of incarceration may be imposed. Bluffton Municipal Court convenes on Tuesdays.
- Perform as trial counsel in those proceedings, including witness preparation, visit client in jail as necessary, review of video or other evidence, conducting of legal research, conducting of discovery, and preparation of all motions and pleadings.
- Act as negotiator with prosecuting attorney.
At a minimum, and to be considered a responsible proposer, the individuals must: A. Currently possess or be willing to obtain a Town of Bluffton Business License if contract is awarded; B. Be a graduate of an accredited law school and have attained a Juris Doctorate degree; AND C. Be a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar; D. Prior experience in handling criminal cases and criminal jury trials, particularly in municipal or magistrate courts, is preferred; E. Spanish fluency would be a plus.
Register as a vendor using the Vendor Registry software via the Town of Bluffton Purchasing Center web page. From the link hereafter, select the "Agency FREE" registration option on the left to access the full solicitation: https://vrapp.vendorregistry.com/Vendor/Selection/SubscriptionSelection?buyerSource=bluffton-sc-vendor-registration
Questions may be uploaded via the Vendor Registry website by 2/5/2025 at 2 p.m. Proposals may be uploaded to the Vendor Registry website no later than 2/26/2025 at 2 p.m.