Deputy Public Defender I - Extra Help

Starting salary negotiable up to $81.81/hour. This extra-help (temporary) Deputy Public Defender position can be filled at the I, II, III, or IV level, depending on the candidate's qualifications. If you are interested in being considered at the various levels, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitments for those levels.

About the role

As an Extra-help Deputy Public Defender I, you will perform legal work of less complexity than higher levels, involving the investigation, preparation, and presentation of criminal and civil cases before the courts. Under the guidance of more experienced attorneys, you will:

• Work directly with clients and 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 general legal research
• Interview and advise clients

About the 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. The Office represents persons charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses, as well as in juvenile delinquency proceedings, mental health proceedings, conservatorships, contempt matters, and probate and welfare proceedings where the law provides for appointed counsel.

Ideal candidate

You will have a substantial interest in criminal defense work and possess many of the following:

• Experience working as a law clerk or other professional legal position
• Excellent research and writing abilities
• Knowledge of 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 (desired, but not required)

Requirements

• Current active membership in the State Bar of California
• Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level may be required depending on assignment (not required for this specific position)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender
• Principles of criminal law, principles of trial procedure, and rules of evidence
• Legal research methods and judicial procedures
• Statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California
• Written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax, and English composition

Ability to:

• Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems
• Prepare and present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly, logically, and persuasively in written and oral form
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, departmental representatives, county officials, courts, law enforcement, and the public
• Understand and accept differences in human behavior and cultural and ethnic backgrounds

Pay

Starting salary negotiable up to $81.81/hour.