Public Defender Trial Attorney I/II - Fixed Term
County of Ventura
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
County of Ventura is seeking an experienced Public Defender Attorney I/II to represent clients in criminal matters, including misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile cases. You will manage ongoing caseloads, interview clients, prepare pleadings, and advocate in court.
The role requires a California law degree and active State Bar membership, with opportunities to work on diverse cases within a public defense setting.
Qualifications
- Must be a law school graduate licensed in California.
- Attorney II requires a minimum of two years of practice.
- Active member of the State Bar by date of hire.
- Willing to represent indigent clients and work in criminal defense.
Responsibilities
- Appear at court hearings with clients; file motions and pleas as needed.
- Litigate jury trials with preparation of pre-trial motions, cross-examination, and closing arguments.
- Manage an ongoing caseload and interact with clients, public, and agencies.
- Interview clients and witnesses; analyze evidence for trial/hearings.
- Prepare motions, reports, briefs, and other legal documents.
Skills
Education
Job description
- Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
- Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for a bilingual incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills. Proficiency levels by exam are $0.69 per hour (Level l), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
- Annual Leave - A candidate selected for this position will earn up to 208 hours of Annual Leave per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service.
- Annual Leave Redemption - Upon using 80 hours of annual leave within the preceding 12-month period, an employee may request to receive pay in lieu of up to 100 hours of annual leave at the current base rate of pay.
- Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
- Health Plans - Biweekly contribution towards a flexible benefits program (including medical, dental, and vision insurance options).
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increases spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
- Pension Plan - Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERS.
- Holidays - 14 paid days per year which includes two annual floating holidays.
- Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
- Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for a bilingual incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills. Proficiency levels by exam are $0.69 per hour (Level l), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
- Annual Leave - A candidate selected for this position will earn up to 208 hours of Annual Leave per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service.
- Annual Leave Redemption - Upon using 80 hours of annual leave within the preceding 12-month period, an employee may request to receive pay in lieu of up to 100 hours of annual leave at the current base rate of pay.
- Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
- Health Plans - Biweekly contribution towards a flexible benefits program (including medical, dental, and vision insurance options).
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increases spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
- Pension Plan - Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERS.
- Holidays - 14 paid days per year which includes two annual floating holidays.
The mission of the County of Ventura Public Defender is to ensure equal justice for our clients by providing exceptional legal representation. Our office recognizes the value of having a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are committed to the professional development of every employee on every team so they, in turn, can help each of our clients achieve the best outcome in their case. Our clients are a diverse community, as well, and many suffer from negative social impacts of systemic racism. We honor the inherent dignity in every client by fighting for their rights. We are holistic and take the time to find out how we can help – both inside and outside the courtroom. Our staff includes experts in litigation and trial advocacy, as well as professionals who can help people address mental health and substance use disorder issues. We represent each client at all stages of their case, and our practice areas include Misdemeanor and Felony trial teams, Immigration, Writs and Appeals, Juvenile, and Mental Health, plus several specialty courts, including Veteran’s Court and Homeless Court. Our office partners with community-based organizations in post-conviction litigation to clear records so our clients can avoid the stigma of a criminal conviction and find jobs. By helping people gain employment and reenter their communities, we enhance public safety and demonstrate our dedication to this community.
Under the administrative direction of the Public Defender and Assistant Public Defender, the Public Defender Trial Attorney I/II performs professional legal services as assigned by the Public Defender. Major areas of assignment may include, but are not limited to misdemeanors, felonies, mental health, and juvenile. Attorneys in this position are responsible for an ongoing caseload and other assignments which require constant interaction with clients, the public, other agencies, and members of the legal profession.
- A strong desire to defend our clients’ rights in jury trial litigation and an equally strong desire to develop the trial advocacy skills necessary to try the most serious and complex cases charged against our clients.
- Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of the philosophy and practice of client-centered public defense, as well as relevant California criminal law, Federal constitutional law and legal ethics.
- Outstanding organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple ongoing cases.
- The ability to defend misdemeanor cases.
- The ability to address difficult sentencing issues.
- Criminal defense experience, preferably in a public defense agency or legal aid office.
- Considerable knowledge of defense theories, investigation strategies, and trial tactics.
- Strong interpersonal, analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills, with the ability to work independently.
- The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, stay organized, prioritize, and take prompt action to accomplish objectives.
- The ability to effectively collaborate with others, build relationships with teammates, resolve conflict when it arises, and create an inclusive, respectful working environment.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present information effectively both orally and in writing.
- In addition to the above, the ability to defend serious/violent felony cases from arraignment to sentencing with proven trial experience and trial advocacy skills.
Attorney I: $102,046.92 - $128,836.28 Annually
Attorney II: $137,00.30 - $159,117.17 Annually
The Attorney I/II is represented by the Criminal Justice Attorneys’ Association of Ventura County (CJAAVC) and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
There are currently three (3) Fixed-Term vacancies available.
Opening Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous and may close at any time.
Previously: Monday, July 27, 2026, at 5:00 pm.
Application Review Complete: Week of July 27, 2026, and on a weekly basis thereafter.
- Appears with clients at court hearings, makes appropriate motions and pleas, and takes other legal action on behalf of diverse individuals including clients who are indigent or suffering from mental illness; may assist with representing clients in removal proceedings before Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, or United States Court of Appeals.
- Effectively and zealously litigates jury trials by analyzing facts, resolving legal issues, and directing investigation. Strategically-plans for all aspects of trial, including pre-trial motions, jury selection, cross-examination, presentation of evidence, and closing argument.
- Responsible for an ongoing caseload and other assignments which require constant interaction with clients, the public, and other public agencies and members of the legal profession.
- Interviews clients and witnesses and analyzes/evaluates evidence while preparing cases for trial or hearings.
- Negotiates dispositions and modifications of cases according to office policy.
- Prepares motions, reports, briefs, and other legal documents.
- May make presentations to the public and community organizations.
- Perform other related duties as assigned/required.
These are the entrance requirements to the examination process, possession of which assures neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
Applicants must be law school graduates who have been licensed by and are in good standing with the State Bar of California. No experience is required.
Applicants must be law school graduates who have been licensed by and are in good standing with the State Bar of California. A minimum of two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney is required.
Note: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.
- Must be an active member of the State Bar of California by date of hire.
- Must possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license as a condition of employment.
- Must be willing to represent, effectively communicate with, and strongly advocate for clients who may be indigent or suffering from mental illness.
Note: County ordinance provides that County Attorneys may not engage in the private practice of law.
- Student government, moot court, mock trial, or community service or non-profit organizations.
- Courtroom litigation as a criminal defense attorney.
- Preparing and arguing motions.
- Experience interacting with indigent persons/clients.
- Specialized skills or training related to criminal defense and immigration law.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Responsible for an ongoing caseload and other assignments which require constant interactions with clients, the public, other agencies and members of the legal profession.
Working to comprehensive knowledge (depending on level in series) of:
- California criminal law, federal constitutional law, legal principles, immigration law, rules of evidence, and trial procedures.
- Legal research methods.
- Ethical responsibilities enunciated by the American Bar Association and the State Bar of California.
- Organization and prioritization of workload and duties.
Working to comprehensive ability (depending on level in series) to:
- Zealously advocate for disadvantaged, vulnerable clients and represent their best interests.
- Collaborate with others and build relationships with teammates.
- Resolve conflict when it arises, and help create an inclusive, respectful working environment.
- Perform legal research, investigate and analyze evidence and complex legal problems.
- Prepare cases and provide legal counsel through all procedural phases of a criminal case, including jury trial.
- Prepare reports and legal documents.
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Speak in public and during court proceedings or trials.
- Communicate effectively with clients, members of the legal profession, public officials, and the general public.
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Maria Carbajal by e-mail at Maria.Carbajal@venturacounty.gov or by phone at (805) 662-6544.
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