Deputy Public Defender IV - Extra Help

Bring your criminal law experience and passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office!

Starting salary negotiable up to $114.44/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. As attorneys gain 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.

Deputy Public Defender IV is the highest and most experienced working level in the Public Defender class series, and as such is expected to defend the full range of misdemeanor cases, felony cases, or specialized legal assignments. The Deputy Public Defender IV works under direction and is expected to use considerable independent judgment in carrying out assignments. Incumbents in this class will be assigned to defend the most serious felony cases in Superior Court including capital cases. Incumbents in this class will also be assigned to perform the most complex and specialized legal work involving detailed knowledge of the law and court procedures for such areas as domestic violence court, drug court, juvenile delinquency defense, family support defense, and mental health cases.

When you join the Office as an extra-help Deputy Public Defender IV, you will perform highly complex legal work involving the investigation, preparation, and presentation of criminal and civil cases before the courts. Using your independent judgment and initiative, 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

Conducts extensive 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:

Four or more years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney, including two years of experience comparable to the level of Deputy Public Defender III or any combination of comparable training and experience

Experience with conservatorship law, in addition to criminal law

Experience handling writs and appeals

Impeccable research and writing abilities

Experience with 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

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 IV 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.