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Position Information
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Advance your legal career and bring your passion for public service to the Public Defender's Office!
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. Deputy Public Defender I is an entry-level class in which incumbents initially work under the close supervision and guidance of a higher level deputy on initial assignments. After completing an orientation and training period, incumbents are assigned to cases requiring the application of greater skills, knowledge and ability in the law with less supervision as experience is gained. . As attorneys gain sufficient experience and meet or exceed performance standards, they are eligible for promotion to subsequent levels in the series, up to level IV. If you are interested in being considered at the various levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitments being conducted for those levels. If you are an experienced attorney, please check out our II, III, and IV-level recruitments.
When you join the Office 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
As the 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 is desired, but not required
The Public Defender's 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 under the United States and California Constitutions or by statute. The Office represents persons charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses. Additionally, the Office provides representation in juvenile delinquency proceedings, mental health proceedings, conservatorships, contempt matters, and probate and welfare proceedings where the law provides for appointed counsel.
The employment list established from this Deputy Public Defender I recruitment may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
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Minimum Qualifications
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Experience: None required. Professional License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California. License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level, including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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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 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.
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Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
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- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process. Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed. Responses to supplemental questions are used to evaluate your qualifications. Please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. The selection procedure will consist of the following examination: An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration. Additional Information A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates. Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position. How to Apply Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job announcement must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted. The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need. HR Analyst: CA HR Technician: KK
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County of Sonoma
$67.30 - $81.81 Hourly
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, parental leave, vacation time, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan
Jun 30, 2026