Public Defender

About the role

The Public Defender’s Office is committed to providing high-quality legal representation while maintaining strong fiscal accountability, operating with an adopted budget of $26 million and 121 full-time equivalent employees, including investigators, social workers, case managers, and client advocates.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of the Office of the Public Defender’s full scope of services and activities.
• Serve as the Liaison to the County Executive Officer and the Board of Supervisors and represent the Office of the Public Defender to other departments (e.g., County’s District Attorney Office and Probation Department), elected officials, interested community groups, members of the media, and outside agencies and organizations, including the Local Bar Association.
• Engage in a wide range of collaborative working groups that focus on system improvements, innovative criminal justice initiatives, and whole person care efforts.
• Advocate for the mission of both the Department and the County through strong collaboration skills.

Qualifications

More specific details on required qualifications may be found in the detailed brochure.

Pay

The salary for the incoming Public Defender is $262,492 to $350,378 (including a 2.5% increase in July 2026).

Schedule

N/A

Benefits

The County also offers an attractive benefits package, including SBCERS Retirement.