Deputy Public Defender I - Time Limited
$9,052 - $11,002/Monthly*
Start your legal career and show your passion for public service. Become a Deputy Public Defender I. English/Spanish Bilingual skills are highly desired!
Starting salary up to $126,980 annually plus a cash allowance of approximately $200/month
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities.
Deputy Public Defender I's perform legal work involving the investigation, preparation, and presentation of criminal and civil cases before the courts. They work directly with both English and non-English speaking clients to:
• 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 using independent judgment and initiative
• Interview and advise witnesses in regard to criminal complaints
The ideal candidate will have a substantial interest in criminal defense work and possess:
• Experience working as an attorney, law clerk, or other professional legal position
• Impeccable research and writing abilities
• Experience and knowledge of post-conviction relief
• Demonstrable excellence in public speaking
• Experience in a Public Defender's office
• The ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish and English is highly desirable
Public Defender's Office
The Public Defender 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. The Public Defender also 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.
Please note: This time-limited position is currently funded until June 30, 2023. As a part of the minimum qualifications for the position, current, active membership in the State Bar of California is required. To meet this portion of the minimum qualifications, you must be sworn in as a current, active member of the State Bar of California on or before the final filing date of 06/03/21.
*Salary is negotiable and benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. For more information, including minimum qualifications, & to apply, visit, www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org or call 707-565-2331. The County of Sonoma values diversity and we are committed to having a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. EOE Apply by 06/03/21
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: None required.
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 to perform the essential job functions of the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender; 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 to: research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems; prepare and present statements of law, fact and argument clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form; 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 behavior, and cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
*Salary is negotiable and benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. For more information, including minimum qualifications, & to apply, visit, www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org or call 707-565-2331. The County of Sonoma values diversity and we are committed to having a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. EOE Apply by 06/03/21
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