[Chief Public Defender Application] Nicholas Ashford

[Nicholas Ashford]

• 1.1) Name & Pronouns
  • First Name: Nicholas
    Middle Name: Benjamin
    Last Name: Ashford
    Preferred pronouns: he/him

• 3.1) Why are you interested in becoming the Chief Public Defender? How would this role align with your long-term career goals? (100 word minimum)
  • I am interested in becoming Chief Public Defender as it would help me have a positive impact on more peoples lives. It would help me to improve the current stuff set in place. I would like to bring around better training for Junior defence attorneys, trainings that I would have liked to have in place when I was a Junior. I would like to improve Junior Attorneys integration into the Defence Sector by placing in trainings targeted at improving their confidence and ability to jump on cases and "Hit the ground running". I would also like to expand into the idea of providing Legal Advice as well for convicted criminals such as what they can do afterward etc.
  3.2) As Chief Public Defender, you will oversee complex cases and manage a team. How would you handle the responsibility of guiding and training junior defenders? (75 word minimum)
  • I would make sure to let them know that my inbox is always open for questions. I would run mock-court sessions set up to improve their skills at on the spot objections. I would set up fake cases for them to practice creating suppressions and opening and closing statements for. I think that all of this would significantly help improve their skills in court, I also think that it would help to improve their own confidence in them selves and they can start proper cases actually knowing what to do.
  3.3) Describe a time when you successfully handled a challenging case or conflict with a client or colleague. (75 word minimum)
  • There was a case that I signed on as co-council and the Primary council just didn't contact or speak to me at all. They were extremely difficult to get in contact with and, as it was my first formal case, I had no idea what to do and it would have been extremely helpful to really get told what I needed to do. I wrote up a motion to suppress on my own and had Izaak look over it then submitted it after a couple of days with no response from the primary. I did successfully point out areas that were suppressed. I then had to proceed with the entire case up until a point at which I simply took over as primary council as the previous primary had had no contact for weeks. The case went to court and, while the client was found guilty, I did manage to present a decently good case considering I hadn't had much help planning or writing up any of it.
  3.4) What qualities do you believe are most important for a Chief Public Defender? (50 word minimum)
  • I believe that the Chief defender should not be overly commanding. I feel that the Chief should let there be independence with how the attorneys they preside over operate, obviously not total independence there will be times when they may cross a line or a case just needs a defence attorney assigning, but I believe that attorneys should have individuality and independence in their work. I believe that the Chief Defence should be willing to answer questions asked by their team freely and willingly. I believe the chief should be reasonably available and easy to contact.
  3.5) The Judicial Branch requires a heavy amount of paperwork. Is this something you are interested in handling?
  • Yeah no issues there
  3.6) Do you have any ideas or plans for the Public Defense Division upon successful hire and could you share them below?
  • I would like to try and get more defence availability for on the spot bench trials. This is something me and Maximilian have briefly spoken about. I would also like to implement mock-trials and other bits previously spoken about in my training of Junior Defence section

[Nicholas Ashford]

I would like to formally retract my application as I do not believe that I am the correct fit for the position. I would like to endorse Daniel Carmello's application as I believe that he would be a good fit for the position.

[Alfie Bower]

APPLICATION DENIED

Mr. Ashford,

The San Andreas Judicial Branch Recruitment team has reviewed your application, qualifications, and performed a background check. We regret to inform you that your application has been DENIED, see below for reason(s). Please feel free to reapply in 30 days.

The reason(s) for your denial are as followed;

• Application Withdrawn

If you are unsure of our Employment Requirements & Recruitment Information, you can read about them here.



Junior Public Defence Attorney
San Andreas Judicial Branch
(909) 999-9999 — [email protected]