Deputy Public Defender I

About the Role

Under direction, the selected candidate interviews, advises, and represents clients in authorized criminal and civil cases; structures and directs investigations; prepares trials, pleadings, and motions; tries cases before court and jury; effectively presents sentencing and disposition positions on behalf of clients; and performs related duties as required and appropriate.

The County of Santa Barbara Public Defender’s Office provides legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford a lawyer, as well as those subject to civil mental health commitments and other proceedings where their liberty is at stake. The office employs a holistic approach to criminal defense, drawing from traditional and non‑traditional legal representation models. Clients have access to an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, legal office professionals, investigators, advocates, and IT personnel who strive to reduce exposure to the criminal justice system, mitigate collateral consequences of a conviction, and transform lives by addressing the social ills that contribute to justice system involvement.

Salary: $105,456 – $127,004 annually. Bilingual allowance when applicable.

Benefits

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Holidays: 12 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year, unlimited accumulation; one year can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care); County contributes toward the employee’s premium.
• On‑Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: ongoing and episodic services for eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 5.
• Retirement reciprocity and time/service credit toward an advanced vacation accrual rate for applicants from other public sector employers.

Qualifications

Employment Standards: Active membership in the State Bar of California AND not less than:

• Completion of the core courses required for a law degree; OR
• A combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to the above that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and license.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at time of appointment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of criminal and civil law and their application
• Legal research methods
• Organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions
• California civil and criminal codes
• U.S. and California Constitutions
• Rules of evidence, trial procedures
• Administrative law
• Ethical and professional rules of conduct
• Negotiating techniques

Ability to:

• Perform legal research
• Analyze and apply legal principles, precedents, facts, and evidence to legal problems
• Present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and effectively in written and oral format
• Work cooperatively with and represent persons from a wide variety of racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Maintain confidentiality and objectivity
• Work effectively with others, often under stressful conditions
• Manage a caseload
• Interview witnesses
• Negotiate settlements
• Present and conduct trials
• Understand and apply policies and