Deputy Public Defender II

Overview

Advance your legal career and bring your passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office! Starting salary negotiable up to $86.81/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. 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 II is the journey level class in the Deputy Public Defender series, working under general supervision. If you are an experienced attorney with multiple years of criminal law experience, please check out our III and IV-level recruitments.

The Public Defender's Office has the mandated responsibility of defending any person who is not financially able to employ counsel and who is charged with the commission of any contempt or offense triable in the superior or municipal courts. Additionally, the Public Defender represents qualified individuals in probate and welfare proceedings, and may represent any person who is not financially able to employ counsel in proceedings relating to the nature or conditions of detention prior to adjudication.

When You Join The Office As An Extra-help Deputy Public Defender II, You Will Perform 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
• Conduct general legal research
• Interview and advise witnesses

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

• At least one year of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney
• Impeccable research and writing abilities
• Knowledge of 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 (desirable but not required)

• Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of legal experience practicing as a licensed attorney in a position comparable to a Deputy Public Defender I in Sonoma County; or equivalent experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney generally would provide such opportunity.
• Professional License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California.
• License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Working knowledge: the duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender; the principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure and rules of evidence; legal research methods and judicial procedures; statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition.

Ability: consistently prepare and present statements of law, fact and argument clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form in legal matters; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, the courts, law enforcement agency officials, and the general public; understand and accept differences in human…