Deputy Public Defender I — Holistic, Bilingual Defense

County of Santa Barbara; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual allowance when applicable

Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year

Health Plan

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara's Public Defender’s Office in Santa Maria, CA is seeking a Deputy Public Defender I to interview, advise and represent clients in criminal and civil matters, manage investigations, and prepare trials and motions. The role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple cases, with travel to other locations as needed.

The ideal candidate has experience in the legal field, proficiency in MS Office, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in the legal field.
• Microsoft Office Excel, Word and Outlook skills.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to manage a fluctuating and heavy caseload.
• Excellent customer service and public interaction.
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Fluency in English and Spanish and/or Mixteco is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Interviews clients regarding prospective criminal or civil actions and advises them of their rights and legal options; structures and directs investigations; reviews evidence; interviews witnesses and prepares them to testify.
• Conducts legal research; analyzes statutes, case law, evidence, and other relevant information in order to develop case strategies.
• Prepares for trials; negotiates with prosecuting authorities on disposition and modification of cases; appears with and for clients in court hearings, makes appropriate legal motions, pleas, and arguments on points of law; participates in jury selection; makes final arguments and summations in defense of the accused in trial courts.
• Prepares petitions, briefs, arguments, motions, pleadings, other legal instruments, reports, and correspondence, and argues in the appropriate forum.

Skills

Legal experience

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook

Conflict resolution

Caseload management

Customer service

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Written and oral communication

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Law degree core courses completed

Job description

County of Santa Barbara's Public Defender’s Office in Santa Maria, CA is seeking a Deputy Public Defender I to interview, advise and represent clients in criminal and civil matters, manage investigations, and prepare trials and motions. The role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple cases, with travel to other locations as needed.

The ideal candidate has experience in the legal field, proficiency in MS Office, and excellent communication skills.