Deputy Public Defender III - Extra Help

Starting salary negotiable up to $102.15/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. As attorneys gain experience and meet or exceed performance standards, they are eligible for promotion to subsequent levels in the series, up to level IV.

About the role

Deputy Public Defender III is the advanced working level in the Public Defender class series, expected to defend the full range of misdemeanor cases, less serious or complex felony cases, or specialized legal assignments. The Deputy Public Defender III works under direction and is expected to use independent judgment in carrying out assignments.

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, juvenile delinquency proceedings, mental health proceedings, conservatorships, contempt matters, and probate and welfare proceedings where the law provides for appointed counsel.

Responsibilities

• Perform legal work of above-average difficulty involving the investigation, preparation, and presentation of criminal and civil cases before the courts.
• Use independent judgment and initiative to work directly with clients, 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.

Requirements

• Current active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Two or more years of legal experience practicing criminal law as a licensed attorney, including one year of experience comparable to the level of Deputy Public Defender II; or equivalent experience with another defense agency.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license may be required depending on assignment (not required for this specific position).

Qualifications

As the ideal candidate, you will have a substantial interest in criminal defense work and possess many of the following:

• Experience handling writs and appeals.
• Experience with conservatorship law, in addition to criminal law.
• Impeccable 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.

Skills

Considerable knowledge of:

• The duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the Public Defender.
• The 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.

Ability to:

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

Pay

Starting salary negotiable up to $102.15/hour.