Deputy Public Defender II - Extra Help

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

Starting salary negotiable up to $89.42/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 IIs the journey level class in the Deputy Public Defender seriies and requires the incumbent to work under general supervision. If you are an experienced criminal law attorney, please check out our III, and IV-level recruitments. 

When you join the Office as an extra-help Deputy Public Defender II, you will perform legal work of average difficulty 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
• 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:

• One or more years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney 
• Excellent research and writing abilities
• Familiar with post-conviction relief, including writs and appeals
• 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 II 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.