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County Public Defender Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About the Mono County Public Defender's Office The Mono County Public Defender's Office is committed to ensuring fairness and equal justice for every client through high-quality, compassionate, and ...

About the Mono County Public Defender's Office The Mono County Public Defender's Office is committed to ensuring fairness and equal justice for every client through high-quality, compassionate, and ...

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County Public Defender information

What does a county public defender do?

A County Public Defender is a lawyer appointed by the court to represent individuals who cannot afford to hire a private attorney in criminal cases. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that defendants receive fair legal representation and that their rights are protected throughout the criminal justice process. Public defenders handle a range of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and may also assist with appeals and juvenile matters. They work within the local county jurisdiction and often manage large caseloads, advocating for their clients in court and negotiating with prosecutors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a county public defender?

To thrive as a County Public Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and strong legal research, litigation, and criminal defense skills. Familiarity with case management software, legal research databases, and courtroom technology is typically required. Excellent communication, negotiation, and empathy are critical soft skills for effectively representing clients and managing high caseloads. These skills and qualities ensure effective advocacy, uphold clients' rights, and maintain justice within the legal system.

What are some typical challenges faced by county public defenders in balancing caseloads and providing effective representation?

County Public Defenders often manage high caseloads, which can make it challenging to devote sufficient time to each client. Balancing the demands of court appearances, case preparation, and client communication requires strong organizational skills and resilience. Despite these challenges, public defenders play a crucial role in ensuring fair legal representation for all, often working closely with investigators, social workers, and other attorneys. Supportive team environments and ongoing training can help public defenders navigate these demands and continue to grow professionally.

What is the difference between County Public Defender vs County Assistant Public Defender?

AspectCounty Public DefenderCounty Assistant Public Defender
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law license, relevant legal experienceSame as Public Defender, often with less experience
Work EnvironmentHandles complex cases, manages caseloads, supervises staffAssists Public Defender, handles assigned cases, supports team
Employer & IndustryCounty government, criminal defenseCounty government, criminal defense

The County Public Defender is the lead attorney responsible for managing the public defense office and handling complex cases, while the County Assistant Public Defender supports the Public Defender, manages assigned cases, and assists in case preparation. Both roles require similar credentials and work within the same government and industry environment, but differ in responsibilities and seniority.

What are popular job titles related to County Public Defender jobs in California?

For County Public Defender jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for County Public Defender jobs?

Cities in California with the most County Public Defender job openings:

Investigative Technician- Public Defender

San Bernardino County

San Bernardino, CA • On-site

$50K - $71K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


San Bernardino County rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

485th of 849 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

The Job Join Our Team and Earn County Benefits Receive 14 Paid Holidays +1 Floater Up To 160 Hours of Paid Vacation Up To 80 Hours of Paid Sick County Pension To Plan For Retirement Apply Today And Help Make A Difference In Our Community SALARY INCREASES Employees are eligible for merit-based step increases within the salary range, up to the maximum step. Refer to the Technical & Inspection Unit MOU. San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office is currently recruiting for Investigative Technicians II.

These positions provide technical and investigative support for trial preparation, including tasks such as photography, video production, research, and computer-based evidence gathering. Depending on the assignment, duties may also include serving civil or criminal summons, complaints, or subpoenas in the field, and confirming the identity of the individual being served. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply; additional compensation is paid to incumbents filling bilingual positions.

For more detailed information, refer to the Investigative Technician job description. Public Defender Office The Law Offices of the Public Defender San Bernardino County is a county department that is staffed with attorneys licensed by the State Bar of California. The attorneys who handle cases in court are called Deputy Public Defenders.

In addition to attorneys, the Public Defender employs Investigators to fully investigate cases handled by the Department. The Department also has a staff of social workers and support staff to provide the best representation for clients. The Public Defender will be appointed to represent any criminal or civil commitment defendant who cannot afford to hire an attorney, unless the office has a legal conflict of interest with that defendant's case.

The Public Defender represents adults and juveniles charged with misdemeanor or felony crimes, and persons facing involuntary civil commitment for mental disorders or commitment under the Sexually Violent Predator statute. The Law Offices of the Public Defender San Bernardino County is a leader in innovation, developing and implementing programs to operate more efficiently and improving individual lives. Using a holistic approach, the Public Defender seeks to increase client opportunities for achieving self-sufficiency.

In addition to providing legal defense, our agency also seeks to arrange client access to social service programs and assistance with receiving alcohol and drug rehabilitation services and counseling for mental health issues. EXCELLENT BENEFITS To review job-specific benefits, refer to: Summary of Benefits and the Technical & Inspection Unit's MOU. The County also offers an alternative Modified Benefits Option (MBO) that provides a wage differential.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 1. Incumbents may be assigned to any office or area within the County. 2.

Prior to appointment, applicants must pass a background investigation, which includes verification of employment history and education, fingerprinting, physical exam, and drug screening. 3. Incumbents are required to perform a significant portion of their duties in the field.

4. Incumbents may be required to lift of up to 50 pounds. 5.

Travel throughout the County may be required and employees will be required to make provisions for such transportation. Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future Minimum Requirements EDUCATION: Fifteen (15) semester or (23) quarter units of completed college coursework in Administration of Justice, Social/Behavioral Science, Business/Public Administration or closely related field from an accredited institution. --AND-- EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience in a legal, law enforcement, corrections or investigative agency or department.

SUBSTITUTION: One (1) additional year of qualifying experience may substitute for the required education. Desired Qualifications The ideal candidate will possess excellent time management skills, excel in prioritization, and have outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Experience operating video, audio and photography equipment is also highly desirable.

Selection Process There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire. You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience and skills, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department. Application Procedure: Please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by Friday, August 21, by 5:00 pm on the filing deadline to be considered.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaires. All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mail frequently to learn additional information regarding this recruitment.

Check your GovernmentJobs account for notifications. Update your firewalls to allow e-mails from San Bernardino County through governmentjobs.com. Update your Spam, Junk, and Bulk settings to ensure it will not spam/block/filter communications from email addresses with the following domain "@hr.sbcounty.gov"

Finally, be sure to keep your personal information updated. Taking these steps now will help ensure you receive all communications regarding this recruitment. To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the posted filing deadline.

Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records.

Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application. If you require technical assistance, please refer HERE to review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer or browser used to submit the application.

EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline. Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouse or widow(er) who are not current County employees may be awarded additional Veterans' Preference points.

Please review information and instructions to request Veteran's Preference points. Please review important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process


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