Deputy Public Defender I - Extra Help

County of Sonoma; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

The County of Sonoma is seeking a Deputy Public Defender to advance their legal career in public service. This position offers a negotiable salary up to $81.81/hour and can be filled at various skill levels. Responsibilities include investigating cases, preparing legal documents, and advising clients.

The ideal candidate will have a keen understanding of criminal law and excellent research and writing abilities. The position is an opportunity to serve the community while gaining valuable legal experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of criminal law, trial procedures, and legal research methods.
• Ability to analyze legal principles and present arguments persuasively.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, research, prepare, and defend criminal and/or civil cases.
• Prepare legal documents for trials, hearings, and proceedings.
• Interview and advise clients.

Skills

Legal research methods

Public speaking

Writing abilities

Education

Current active membership in the State Bar of California

Job description

Position Overview

Advance your legal career and bring your passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office! Starting salary negotiable up to $81.81/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. Deputy Public Defender I is an entry‑level class in which incumbents initially work under close supervision and guidance of a higher‑level deputy. After completing an orientation and training period, incumbents are assigned to cases requiring greater skill, knowledge, and ability with less supervision as experience is gained. Attorneys who meet or exceed performance standards are eligible for promotion to subsequent levels in the series, up to level IV. Candidates interested in higher levels should apply to the separate, concurrent recruitments for those levels.

Responsibilities

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working as a law clerk or in another professional legal position
• Excellent research and writing abilities
• Knowledge of post‑conviction relief
• Demonstrable excellence in public speaking
• Experience in or with a Public Defender's office
• Completion of any California Public Defender's Association training seminars is desired, but not required

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: None required.
• Professional license: Current active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Driver's license: This announcement does not require a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of the duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender; principles of criminal law, trial procedure, and rules of evidence; legal research methods; 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 staff, departmental representatives, county officials, courts, law enforcement, and the public; understand and respect differences in human behavior, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.