County Public Defender

About the role

The County is seeking a seasoned criminal defense attorney to serve as the first Public Defender, a Board-appointed position responsible for overseeing and developing the County's indigent defense program.

This role reflects the County’s commitment to strengthening representation, increasing coordination, accountability, and oversight of indigent defense services, while relying on contracted private attorneys through a Managed Assigned Counsel approach.

The position offers an opportunity for a practical and collaborative leader to apply professional judgment, leadership, and innovation in a small, rural county environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and develop the County's indigent defense program
• Provide legal counsel and indigent defense services to eligible clients
• Manage and supervise attorneys providing legal counsel and indigent defense services
• Build upon an existing system to improve public defense

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and a Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of law.
• Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney with a focus on criminal defense, including four (4) years performing managerial level supervisory (lead) and administrative duties over attorneys providing legal counsel and indigent defense services in a Public Defender Office or comparable legal office.
• Pursuant to Government Code Section 27701, must have been a practicing attorney in all of the courts of the State of California for at least the year preceding the date of appointment.
• Current membership in the California State Bar Association.

How to Apply

Candidates are encouraged to apply by visiting the County webpage and submitting their application by July 24, 2026.