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County Public Defender Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Washoe County, NV

DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER

Reno, NV · On-site

$112K - $241K/yr

Washoe County provides employer-paid contributions to PERS, health insurance, and a wide range of other competitive benefits. Our office is located in Reno, NV at the base of the Sierra Nevada ...

Ulster County

Assistant Public Defender III

Kingston, NY · On-site

$105K/yr

An employee in this class assists the County Public Defender in providing legal representation, without charge and by order of a court, to indigent persons assigned to the Public Defender pursuant to ...

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County Public Defender information

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$28K

$107.5K

$184.5K

How much do county public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for county public defender in the United States is $107,533.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $134,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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, and why are they important?

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 cities are hiring for County Public Defender jobs? Cities with the most County Public Defender job openings:
What states have the most County Public Defender jobs? States with the most job openings for County Public Defender jobs include:
What job categories do people searching County Public Defender jobs look for? The top searched job categories for County Public Defender jobs are:
County Public Defender jobs near you

Public Defender

County of Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide overall leadership, management, and oversight of the Public Defender department's legal services and operations.

  • Serve as the primary liaison to the County Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors, County departments, elected officials, community organizations, media, and external agencies.

  • Participate in cross-departmental and community-based initiatives focused on system improvement, criminal justice innovation, diversion and rehabilitation efforts, and whole-person care strategies.

Job description

Salary: See Position Description
Location : County of Santa Barbara - All locations, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-8125-01
Department: Public Defender
Division: Public Defender
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: 7/20/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
The County of Santa Barbara is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as Public Defender. The ideal candidate will have significant experience as a Public Defender, Assistant Public Defender, or Deputy Public Defender, along with a demonstrated record of leadership, strategic thinking, and commitment to public service.
As the head of the Office of the Public Defender, this position is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and oversight of the department's full range of legal services and operations. The Public Defender serves as the primary liaison to the County Executive Officer and Board of Supervisors and represents the Office in interactions with County departments, including the District Attorney's Office and Probation Department, elected officials, community organizations, members of the media, and external agencies and professional associations, including the local bar association.
The successful candidate will be a respected leader and collaborative partner within Santa Barbara County's criminal justice system. The Public Defender will actively participate in cross-departmental and community-based initiatives focused on system improvement, criminal justice innovation, diversion and rehabilitation efforts, and whole-person care strategies. Success in this role requires the ability to build strong relationships, foster collaboration, and effectively advance both departmental and County-wide priorities.
In addition to legal expertise and leadership experience, the ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of public-sector budgeting and finance, organizational development, performance management, accountability systems, and strategic project implementation. The County seeks a leader who demonstrates the highest levels of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment, while valuing collaboration, respect for governance structures, transparency, humility, and service-oriented leadership.
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Retirement Plans
  • Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
  • Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
  • For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and
Health Benefits
  • Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
  • On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
  • Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
  • Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
  • For more information on our health benefits, please visit:
Paid Time Off
  • Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
  • Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
  • Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
  • Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
  • For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)
Miscellaneous Benefits
  • County Paid Term Life Insurance
  • County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Childcare and Employee Discounts
  • Relocation Assistance may apply
  • Flexible work schedule may apply
  • For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:
Compensation Summary
  • To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:

*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.

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