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Public Defender I/II/III -- Fixed Term Position

The Ventura County Public Defender's Office is currently recruiting for a Public Defender Trial Attorney I/II/III – Fixed Term position.

For more details, including qualifications and application instructions, access the posting linked above.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Public Defender’s Office. At this time, we have two Regular Fixed-Term vacancies, with anticipated end dates of February 15, 2026, and June 30, 2026.

Opened: Friday, June 6, 2025

Closes: Monday, June 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

 Deputy Attorney, Public Defender

Office: El Dorado County Public Defender's Office
Compensation: $148,636.80 - $180,668.80 Annually
Location: Shingle Springs, CA

This is the journey-level classification in the attorney series. Incumbents are fully capable of performing a broad and complex range of legal services and assignments with minimal supervision, exercising a high degree of independent judgment, discretion, and strategic decision-making. Positions in this class are distinguished from Associate Attorneys by the greater scope, complexity, and impact of the cases handled, which often require innovative solutions or involve significant implications.

Public defense in El Dorado County means more than just a job—it's impact you can see, in a place you’ll love calling home. You’ll join a tight-knit team that has each other’s backs, led by people who aren’t afraid to step in when it counts. And when the workday ends, the mountains, lakes, and wine country are waiting.

Closes: June 8, 2025

Associate Attorney, Public Defender

Office: El Dorado County Public Defender's Office
Compensation: $121,846.40 - $148,096.00 Annually
Location: Shingle Springs, CA

This is the entry-level classification in the attorney series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform routine legal services and tasks while developing knowledge and skills. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and complex, and supervision decreases accordingly.

Closes: June 17, 2025

 Attorney Supervisor (Director of Professional Development)

 To be considered for this role, you must meet the minimum qualifications outlined on the class specification linked: Attorney Supervisor

Closes: Thursday, June 12, 2025

 County of Monterey Public Defender

 
Office: County of Monterey Public Defender
Location: Salinas, CA


The County of Monterey (County) is a diverse community in a picturesque coastal location. It offers tourists and residents the comfort of a moderate, Mediterranean climate, miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, groves of redwoods, low-rolling foothills, and scenic valleys. Boasting such world-renowned attractions as the breathtaking Big Sur Coast, Laguna Seca Raceway, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals and Pebble Beach – possibly the world’s most famous golf course, it’s easy to see why over 450,000 residents choose to live here.

 
Under policy direction from the Board of Supervisors, the Public Defender is responsible for the overall administration and management of the Office of the Public Defender’s operations, functions, program activities, staff, budget, and for participating in the preparation and defense of criminal and civil matters. Work is performed with maximum independence within established policies and procedures set by the Board of Supervisors, the County Administrative Officer, and federal, state, and county laws, regulations, and ordinances. The ideal candidate is a highly skilled and principled criminal attorney with extensive experience in indigent defense and a deep commitment to the mission of the Sixth Amendment. They bring a strong litigation background, having successfully represented clients across various criminal cases, including serious felonies, juvenile matters, mental health commitments, and death penalty cases. With cultural competence and compassion, they build trust with underserved communities, advocating for those most in need while maintaining an unwavering focus on justice and fairness.

 
The annual salary range for the Public Defender is $228,250 - $311,742; placement within this range is dependent on qualifications and experience. If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please visit  www.bobmurrayassoc.com to apply online. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Mr. Gary Phillips at (916) 784-9080.

Filing Deadline: June 15, 2025

Felony Attorney – Sonoma County Independent Defender’s Office

Location: Sonoma County, California
Position Type: Contract / Panel Membership

Compensation: Attorneys are paid a monthly salary dependent on experience; Rates vary based on case complexity and attorney qualifications.

The Sonoma County Independent Defender’s Office is seeking experienced and committed criminal defense attorneys to represent clients in felony-level cases as a member of the criminal defense conflicts panel. Attorneys on this panel provide constitutionally mandated legal representation to indigent individuals when the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office is unable to accept a case due to a conflict of interest.

Application Deadline: June 15, 2025

 Deputy Public Defender I/II/III

Riverside County Public Defender's Office
Location: Riverside
Compensation: $89,999.94 - $176,051.20 Annually

The County of Riverside's Law Offices of the Public Defender is seeking to fill a vacancy in their Riverside office at the Deputy Public Defender I, II, and III levels (level entry is based on years of experience). The incumbents will perform professional legal work in the misdemeanor unit and do other work as required.

Closing Date: May 30, 2025 (but will remain open until filled)

Deputy Public Defender I/II/III

Riverside County Public Defender's Office
Location: Coachella Valley Only
Compensation: $89,999.94 - $176,051.20 Annually

The County of Riverside's Law Offices of the Public Defender is seeking to fill a vacancy in their Coachella Valley office at the Deputy Public Defender I, II, and III levels (level entry is based on years of experience). The incumbents will perform professional legal work in the misdemeanor unit and do other work as required.

Closing Date: May 30, 2025 (but will remain open until filled)

Deputy Public Defender I/II/III

Riverside County Public Defender's Office
Location: Murrieta
Compensation: $90,001.60 - $176,051.20 Annually

The County of Riverside's Law Offices of the Public Defender is seeking to fill a vacancy in their Murrieta office at the Deputy Public Defender I, II, and III levels (level entry is based on years of experience). The incumbents will perform professional legal work in the misdemeanor unit and do other work as required.

Opened: May 22, 2025
Closes: June 30, 2025

Stanislaus County Public Defender's Office Positions

The Stanislaus County Public Defender's Office is hiring for multiple attorney and post-bar legal clerk positions, details in links.

Location: Modesto

Compensation: see information in recruitment links

Deputy Public Defender (Attorney IV-V) | Job Details tab | Career Pages

Deputy Public Defender I-V (PART-TIME ONLY) | Job Details tab | Career Pages

Misdemeanor Deputy Public Defender (Attorney I/II/III) | Job Details tab | Career Pages

Post Bar Legal Clerk (Paralegal II) | Job Details tab | Career Pages

Closing Date: Continuous/Open Until Filled

 Deputy Public Defender I/II/III

Shasta County Public Defender's Office
Location: Shasta County

Compensation
Deputy PD I: $7,224 - $9,220, Monthly
Deputy PD II: $8,161 - $10,417, Monthly
DPD III: $9,541 - $12,177, Monthly 

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

The Shasta County Public Defender provides efficient and effective legal defense services to indigent individuals charged with crimes in felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile matters.  In addition, the Office of the Shasta County Public Defender provides legal representation to indigent individuals facing conservatorship, guardianship, parental terminations, probate, and Welfare & Institutions Code Section 5150 proceedings.

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I: This level is assigned to attorneys who have little to no previous criminal defense experience. Under close supervision, attorneys at this level are generally assigned a variety of less difficult assignments.

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II: This level is assigned attorneys with at least one year of experience in the practice of criminal law. Under close supervision, attorneys at this level perform work of average difficulty in all phases of criminal law and are expected to exercise a high degree of independent judgment in handling assigned cases.

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III: Incumbents at this level perform specialized legal work in criminal matters, which are varied, complex, and sensitive in nature. Attorneys at this level are responsible for handling the most serious and sensitive cases including sexual assault, child molestation, and homicide. Attorneys will be required to handle their assignments independently, with minimal supervision.

Closing: Continuous/Open Until Filled

Deputy Public Defender I-IV - San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office 

Location: Stockton, California

Compensation

The San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our community and its justice system by furnishing clients whose cases have been entrusted to the office, with competent, effective, loyal, ethical, zealous, compassionate and efficient advocacy.

Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV, Immigration Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV, Fresno County

Location: Fresno County, California

Compensation

Defense Attorney I:: $75,218 - $96,044 Annually
Defense Attorney II: $87,802 - $112,034 Annually
Defense Attorney III: $105,326 - $134,446 Annually
Defense Attorney IV: $123,292 - $157,326 Annually  

The Fresno County Public Defender's Office invites applications for the position of Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV, including opportunities focusing on the intersection of criminal and immigration issues as an Immigration Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV.

The Public Defender's Office is dedicated to the full and fair representation of all persons in the community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action.  It is the goal of the Public Defender's Office to protect every client's constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment and disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no one who is innocent is ever wrongfully convicted.  The Public Defender's Office provides all mandated legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while holding themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards.

Closes: Continuous/Open until Filled

Deputy Public Defender, I/II Humboldt County

Humboldt County Public Defender's Office

Location: Eureka, CA

Compensation: $64,147.20 - $98,009.60 Annually

Are you interested in making a difference? If so, please consider joining our dedicated team at the County of Humboldt Public Defender's Office!
What You'll Do: This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including:

• Prepares the defense for court-appointed cases in a variety of misdemeanor cases.
• Conducts pretrial case preparation, legal research;
• coordinates investigative activities with Public Defender Investigator.

Represents clients at arraignments, pretrials, jury trials.

Opens: May 9, 2025

Closes: Continuous/Open Until Filled

Compensation: $100,000 to $140,000/annually
Location: San Jose/hybrid; fully remote possible

The Sixth District Appellate Program is looking to hire a new staff attorney, who directly represents clients in criminal and juvenile appeals, assists panel attorneys, and trains appellate and trial attorneys. The staff attorney also evaluates the work of panel attorneys and reviews their claims for compensation in appointed cases. SDAP is a hybrid office with staff working at the office in San Jose twice a week. A fully remote schedule will be considered for particularly strong candidates. The candidate must be a licensed attorney in California. Salary will depend on experience but generally ranges from $100k to $140k, including health insurance as part of a generous benefits package.

Please email your resume, cover letter, and writing sample with an opposition to Jonathan Grossman at [email protected].

 Deputy Public Defender II -- Marin County

Office: Marin County Public Defender
Location: San Rafael, CA
$133,348.80 - $162,198.40 Annually

The Deputy Public Defender II performs legal defense work for clients needing publicly assisted representation in criminal, juvenile, or civil cases accepted by the Public Defender. Incumbents at this level exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in all areas of defense work and are responsible for performing legal research, drafting legal documents, and thoroughly preparing assigned cases and clients for trial. Deputy Public Defenders at this level appear in court daily in both felony and misdemeanor cases in all court levels. The incumbent may provide direction to lower level attorneys as needed. The general duties and minimum requirements of this position are further described in the class specifications. There are currently two (2) full-time regular hire vacancies and one (1) full-time regular hire fixed term vacancy.

Posted: 2/27/2025
Continuous

 Youth Holistic Defense Advocate -- Santa Barbara County Public Defender

The Public Defender’s Office is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Youth Holistic Defense Advocate vacancy in Santa Maria for the Youth Defender Unit. The County classification title is Behavioral Wellness Practitioner Intern.The Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office provides legal representation from a holistic and client-centered perspective to adults and youth living in poverty who are accused of crimes and who have been traditionally marginalized. We use the tools of litigation, negotiation, and services-based solutions to address our clients’ legal needs.

Our Youth Defender Unit, located in Santa Maria, provides vigorous advocacy to system-involved youth from all parts of our diverse County from their first court appearance until their case is concluded and/or supervision ends.

Posted 2/11/25, Continuous