DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I
DEFINITION:
Under supervision, to perform the less difficult legal work; to defend violations of local
ordinances and misdemeanors; and to do related work as required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Interviews and advises defendants and witnesses with regard to criminal
complaints;
Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions and other legal authorities
for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs;
Presents cases before inferior courts and occasionally the Superior Court;
Defends inebriacy, insanity and narcotic petitions;
Confers with investigators regarding the collection of facts.
OTHER FUNCTIONS:
Performs other job-related duties as required.
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER II
Definition:
Under direction, to perform responsible legal work of average difficulty in the
defense of accused persons; and to do related work as required.
Typical Tasks:
Prepares legal briefs and opinions; prepares pleadings; investigates, prepares for
trial and tries felony and misdemeanor cases in Appellate, Superior, and lower courts;
interviews defendants, complainants and witnesses; represents defendants at
arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials; attends Coroner's inquests and questions
witnesses; defends inebriacy, insanity, and narcotic petitions; assists and occasionally
supervises less experienced attorneys; dictates legal instruments and briefs; does legal
research.
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER III
Definition:
Under direction, to perform responsible legal work of average difficulty in defending
criminal cases; and to do related work as required.
Typical Tasks:
As assigned, conducts investigations; interviews defendants, claimants and
witnesses in regard to criminal proceedings; examines evidence, prepares for trial, and tries
criminal cases in the Superior Court and the lower courts; prepares legal briefs, opinions,
pleadings, petitions, motions, writs, and other legal papers in both, trial courts of the County
and the Appellate Courts; confers with, trains, and advises staff on general prosecution or
defense techniques and specific case situations; prepares correspondence and reports;
determines which cases should be defended; supervises the investigation of facts.
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER IV
Definition:
Under direction, to perform difficult legal criminal defense work in the Office of the
Public Defender; and to do related work as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is the senior working level within the flexible classification of Deputy Public
Defender. Incumbents handle difficult cases, and are expected to train and oversee the
work of less tenured staff. Supervisory responsibilities may be assigned for specified
periods of time. This classification is distinguished from Deputy Public Defender III by the
degree of complexity and sensitivity of the projects assigned, discretion exercised and
supervision received. Promotion in this flexible classification is considered on a merit basis
subject to recommendation by the department head, and approval by the Director of
Personnel.
Typical Tasks:
Conducts investigations and supervises the investigation of facts; interviews
defendants, complainants and witnesses with regard to criminal proceedings; examines
evidence; prepares for trial and tries the most difficult criminal cases in the Superior Court
and the lower courts; prepares legal briefs, opinions, pleadings, petitions, motions, writs
and other legal papers in both trial courts of the County and the appellate courts; confers
with, trains and advises staff on general prosecution or defense techniques and specific
case situations; supervises the processing of extradition proceedings and insanity
commitment proceedings; prepares correspondence and reports; may be assigned unit
supervision duties for specified periods of time.
A background check may be conducted for this classification.
All Kern County employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state
and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2-
Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services). As Disaster Service Workers, all County
employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable,
following a significant emergency or disaster.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Applicant must be licensed by the California State Bar;
Knowledge of: the principles of law and their application, including criminal law; trial
procedure and the rules of evidence; legal research methods;
Ability to: travel to locations outside of the regular office to perform necessary legal
services; present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically; maintain
effective working relationships with others; evaluate people and to obtain information
through interrogation.