Deputy Public Defender III - Extra Help

Bring your passion for public service and criminal law experience to the Public Defender's Office!
Starting salary negotiable up to $102.15/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 III is the advanced working level in the Public Defender class series, and as such is expected to defend the full range of misdemeanor cases, less serious or complex felony cases, or specialized legal assignments. The Deputy Public Defender III works under direction and is expected to use independent judgment in carrying out assignments. If you are an experienced attorney with four or more years of criminal law experience, please also check out our IV-level recruitment. 

When you join the Office as an extra-help Deputy Public Defender III, you will perform legal work of above 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:

• Two or more years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney
• Experience handling writs and appeals 
• Experience with conservatorship law, in addition to criminal law
• Impeccable 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

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 III 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.