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California Public Defenders Association
Job Board
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Current Openings
mENDOCINO COUNTY Deputy Public Defender I/II/III/IVThe list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium. Salary:$85,051 - $161,158 Annually
Job Type:Full Time Permanent
Opening Date:03/17/2026
Department:Public Defender
Location:Ukiah, California
Closes:April 14, 2026
View full posting →Santa Barbara Conflict AttorneyThe conflict attorney will handle a range of legal responsibilities, including providing representation in felony cases and misdemeanor, preparing and filing legal documents, advising clients on legal matters, and conducting thorough legal research. The role involves negotiating on behalf of clients and ensuring the best possible outcomes in conflict cases and jury trials where no settlement is reached. Collaboration with colleagues and communicating effectively with clients are integral aspects of this position. This is a an independent contractor position. It is a non-exclusive position that permits the attorney to represent retained clients as well. Salary:$84,000.00 to $108,000.00/annual depending upon experience.
Justice Defenders will also pay malpractice insurance and provide clerical support, interpreters, experts, investigators and access to Westlaw legal research. Job Type:Full Time
Opening Date:03/17/2026
Qualifications:
Location:Santa Barbara County, North County Courts
Closes:OPEN UNTIL FILLED.
Contact Email - [email protected] vENTURA cOUNTY Research AttorneyUnder general supervision, this professional level represented position performs legal research activities on behalf of the Court by examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations for resolving issues before the Court. Salary:$4,478.38 - $5,821.89 Biweekly
$116,437.81 - $151,369.16 Annually Job Type:Full Time
Opening Date:02/19/2026
Duration:Initial one-year term, eligible for renewal
Location:All Ventura County Court Locations, CA
Closes:OPEN UNTIL FILLED. First Application Review - March 13, 2026
View full posting →nevada county Public DefenderThe County of Nevada, California is seeking an experienced and collaborative Public Defender to lead the Public Defender's Office and advance integrated approaches that connect legal advocacy with services and support for vulnerable community members. The role offers a unique opportunity to provide strong courtroom leadership while working closely with the Health and Human Agency and justice system partners to support diversion, treatment-based solutions, and whole-person approaches to care. Salary:$192,250.92 - $234,698.76 Annually
Job Type:Full Time
Opening Date:02/17/2026
Duration:Initial one-year term, eligible for renewal
Location:Nevada City, CA
Closes:Continuous
View full posting →county of El Dorado Deputy Attorney - Public Defender South Lake Tahoe“We’re a small, dedicated team fighting for fairness in a justice system that isn’t always fair. As a Deputy Attorney in the Salary:$74.32 - $90.33 Hourly
$5,945.60 - $7,226.40 Biweekly $12,882.13 - $15,657.20 Monthly $154,585.60 - $187,886.40 Annually Job Type:Full Time
DepartmentPublic Defender
Opening Date:1/15/2026
Location:South Lake Tahoe, CA
Closes:Continuous
View full posting →County of Siskiyou Attorney III/IV – Public DefenderPerform complex professional legal work and research; represent the Public Defender's Office on assigned cases; plan and coordinate investigation for the defense of legal cases. The Attorney III is the advanced journey level; the Attorney IV performs the broadest range of complex trial work and may provide work direction to professional and support legal staff. Salary:$95,351.80 – $141,379.12 Annually
Job Type:Permanent Full Time
Location:Yreka, CA
Closes:March 22, 2026
View full posting →County of Del Norte County Public DefenderPlans, organizes, and directs the functions of the Office of the Public Defender. Responsible for providing constitutional defense services to qualified indigents. Oversees departmental personnel and resources, manages contracts with contracted public defenders, and ensures quality representation for all clients assigned to the Office. Salary:$142,771.00 – $200,893.00 Annually
Job Type:Full Time
Location:Crescent City, CA
Closes:March 27, 2026
View full posting →Alameda County Bar Association Criminal Court Appointed Attorneys Program (CAAP) DirectorLead the Criminal Court Appointed Attorneys Program, which ensures high-quality criminal defense representation to indigent clients in Alameda County when the Public Defender declares a legal conflict. The Director manages a staff of eight and is responsible for strengthening relationships with courts, county partners, and panel attorneys, while leading innovative program design to support attorney recruitment and retention. Hybrid position, 1–3 days on-site per week. Salary:Commensurate with experience
Location:Oakland, CA (hybrid)
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Shasta County Public Defender's Office Deputy Public Defender I/II/IIIRecruiting for two practice areas: Adult Criminal Defense (felony and/or misdemeanor) and Youth Delinquency Defense. Level I is for attorneys with little to no previous criminal defense experience. Level II requires at least one year of experience. Level III handles the most serious and sensitive cases, including sexual assault and homicide, with minimal supervision. Salary:DPD I: $7,224–$9,220/mo · DPD II: $8,161–$10,417/mo · DPD III: $9,541–$12,177/mo
Location:Shasta County, CA
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Merced County Public Defender Deputy Public Defender I/II/III/IV/V (Full Time & Extra Help)Established to obtain a current eligible list for both full-time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help positions are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Salary:$77,459.20 – $182,665.60 Annually (full time); $37.24–$72.11/hr (extra help)
Location:Merced, CA
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Yolo County Public Defender Deputy Public Defender I–IVRecruiting to fill one regular, full-time position. Successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list for current and future vacancies. Level placement is dependent on background and experience. Salary:DPD I: $100,256/yr · DPD II: $101,441–$123,302/yr · DPD III: $124,883–$151,819/yr · DPD IV: $146,640–$178,256/yr
Location:Woodland, CA
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Yuba County Public Defender Deputy Public Defender (Felony/Misdemeanor)Serve as a trial attorney defending indigent clients in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. Committed to providing legal representation to people charged with criminal offenses who cannot afford private counsel. Applicants awaiting Bar results are encouraged to apply. Salary:Starting at $75,000–$120,000 plus benefits
Location:Marysville, CA
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Sonoma County Public Defender's Office Deputy Public Defender I/II/III/IV – Extra HelpTemporary extra-help positions fillable at any level depending on candidate qualifications. As attorneys gain experience and meet performance standards they are eligible for promotion up to level IV. The Deputy Public Defender IV defends the full range of misdemeanor and felony cases under minimal direction. Salary:DPD I: $65.34–$79.42/hr · DPD II: $71.42–$86.81/hr · DPD III: $81.60–$99.18/hr · DPD IV: $91.41–$111.11/hr
Location:Santa Rosa, CA
Closes:Open until filled
Apply separately for each level: Deputy Public Defender I → Deputy Public Defender II → Deputy Public Defender III → Deputy Public Defender IV → Sonoma County Independent Defender's Office Felony Attorney – Conflicts PanelSeeking experienced criminal defense attorneys to represent clients in felony-level cases as a member of the criminal defense conflicts panel. Attorneys provide constitutionally mandated representation to indigent individuals when the Sonoma County Public Defender's Office is unable to accept a case due to a conflict of interest. Position Type:Contract Attorney / Panel
Location:Sonoma County, CA
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Orange County Public Defender's Office Deputy Public Defender I/II/IIIA law firm of dedicated attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and support staff advancing a more humane and compassionate justice system. In addition to criminal cases, counsel is appointed to represent children in Juvenile Court Delinquency cases, parents in Dependency cases, and persons in Mental Health cases. Salary:Attorney I: $8,058–$9,741/mo · Attorney II: $9,424–$10,504/mo · Attorney III: $10,784–$14,936/mo
Location:Orange County, CA
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Stanislaus County Public Defender's Office Deputy Public Defender – Multiple PositionsHiring for multiple attorney positions across felony and misdemeanor practice areas. Location:Modesto, CA
Closes:Open until filled
Deputy Public Defender (Attorney IV–V) → Misdemeanor Deputy Public Defender (Attorney I/II/III) → San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office Deputy Public Defender I–IVDedicated to serving the diverse needs of the community by furnishing clients with competent, effective, loyal, ethical, zealous, compassionate, and efficient advocacy. You may apply for one level or all levels simultaneously. Salary:DPD I: $7,374–$8,964/mo · DPD II: $8,968–$10,901/mo · DPD III: $11,227–$13,647/mo · DPD IV: $12,997–$15,797/mo
Location:Stockton, CA
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Fresno County Public Defender's Office Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV & Immigration Defense Attorney I/II/III/IVOpportunities in both general criminal defense and the intersection of criminal and immigration law. Dedicated to full and fair representation of all persons who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest. Salary:Attorney I: $75,218–$96,044 · Attorney II: $87,802–$112,034 · Attorney III: $105,326–$134,446 · Attorney IV: $123,292–$157,326 Annually
Location:Fresno County, CA
Closes:Open until filled
View full posting →Humboldt County Public Defender's Office Deputy Public Defender I/IIPrepare defenses for court-appointed cases across a variety of misdemeanor matters. Conduct pretrial case preparation and legal research; coordinate investigative activities with the Public Defender Investigator; represent clients at arraignments, pretrials, and jury trials. Salary:$64,147.20 – $98,009.60 Annually
Location:Eureka, CA
Closes:Open until filled
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