Deputy Public Defender I - Extra Help

Advance your legal career and bring your passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office!

Starting salary negotiable up to $81.81/hour!

This extra-help (temporary) Deputy Public Defender position can be filled at the I, II, III, or IV level, depending on the candidate's qualifications. Deputy Public Defender I is an entry-level class in which incumbents initially work under the close supervision and guidance of a higher level deputy on initial assignments. After completing an orientation and training period, incumbents are assigned to cases requiring the application of greater skills, knowledge and ability in the law with less supervision as experience is gained. . As attorneys gain sufficient experience and meet or exceed performance standards, they are eligible for promotion to subsequent levels in the series, up to level IV. If you are interested in being considered at the various levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitments being conducted for those levels. If you are an experienced attorney, please check out our II, III, and IV-level recruitments.

When you join the Office as an extra-help Deputy Public Defender I, you will perform legal work of less complexity than higher levels, involving the investigation, preparation, and presentation of criminal and civil cases before the courts. Under the guidance of more experienced attorneys, you will work directly with clients and:

Investigate, research, prepare, and defend criminal and/or civil cases

Interpret and apply laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs

Prepare pleadings and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings

Conduct general legal research

Interview and advise clients

As the ideal candidate, you will have a substantial interest in criminal defense work and possess many of the following:

Experience working as a law clerk or other professional legal position

Excellent research and writing abilities

Knowledge of post-conviction relief

Demonstrable excellence in public speaking

Experience in and/or with a Public Defender's office

Completion of any California Public Defender’s Association training seminars is desired, but not required

The Public Defender's Office

The Sonoma County Public Defender's Office is committed to providing excellent legal representation and zealous advocacy for individuals who are financially unable to retain counsel and who are entitled to court appointed counsel under the United States and California Constitutions or by statute. The Office represents persons charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses. Additionally, the Office provides representation in juvenile delinquency proceedings, mental health proceedings, conservatorships, contempt matters, and probate and welfare proceedings where the law provides for appointed counsel.

The employment list established from this Deputy Public Defender I recruitment may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.