Deputy Public Defender IV - Extra Help

County of Sonoma; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 137,760 - 165,312; Full time

Job summary

The County of Sonoma seeks a Deputy Public Defender IV to join the Public Defender's Office. This role involves defending serious felony cases and performing complex legal work in various court settings. Ideal candidates have four or more years of criminal law experience and strong research and writing skills.

This position offers a negotiable starting salary up to $114.44/hour. Candidates should have excellent public speaking skills and the ability to maintain effective work relationships while upholding high-quality legal representation.

Qualifications

• Four or more years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney.
• Experience with conservatorship law.
• Impeccable research and writing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and defend criminal and civil cases.
• Prepare legal documents for trials and hearings.
• Conduct extensive legal research.

Skills

Legal experience in criminal law

Research and writing abilities

Public speaking

Education

Licensed attorney in California

Job description

Position Information

Bring your criminal law experience and passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office! Starting salary negotiable up to $114.44/hour.

Deputy Public Defender IV is the highest and most experienced level in the Public Defender class series. Deputies defend the full range of misdemeanor, felony, or specialized legal assignments. Deputies work under direction and use considerable independent judgment. Incumbents are assigned to defend the most serious felony cases in Superior Court, including capital cases, and perform complex legal work in domestic violence court, drug court, juvenile delinquency defense, family support defense, and mental health cases.

As an extra‑help Deputy Public Defender IV you will perform highly complex legal work involving investigation, preparation, and presentation of criminal and civil cases before the courts. You will work directly with clients.

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 extensive legal research
• Interview and advise clients

Qualifications

• Four or more years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney, including two years of experience comparable to the level of Deputy Public Defender III or any combination of comparable training and experience
• Experience with conservatorship law, in addition to criminal law
• Experience handling writs and appeals
• Impeccable research and writing abilities
• Experience with post‑conviction relief
• 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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of criminal law principles, trial procedures, and rules of evidence
• Thorough knowledge of the duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Public Defender office; legal research methods; judicial procedures; statutory and constitutional laws of California; written and oral communications
• Ability to research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems; prepare and present clear, logical, and persuasive legal arguments in written and oral form; establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, courts, law enforcement, and the public; understand and respect human, cultural, and ethnic differences

The Public Defender's Office

The Sonoma County Public Defender's Office is committed to providing excellent legal representation and zealous advocacy for individuals who are financially unable to retain counsel and who are entitled to court‑appointed counsel under the United States and California Constitutions or by statute. The Office represents persons charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses and provides representation in juvenile delinquency proceedings, mental health proceedings, conservatorships, contempt matters, and probate and welfare proceedings where the law provides for appointed counsel.

Equal Employment Opportunity 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.