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Death Penalty Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Navajo County, AZ

Attorney III

Holbrook, AZ · On-site

$128K - $159K/yr

County Attorney Opening Date: 03/03/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Summary Under general supervision ... death penalty case. • Prosecutes or defends cases in Justice and Superior Courts. • Confers ...

Cumberland County

Assistant Public Defender

Carlisle, PA

$62K - $94K/yr

Senior Assistant Public Defender II: Attorney with 5-6 years of relevant experience and actively working towards becoming death penalty qualified * Senior Assistant Public Defender III: Attorney with ...

Navajo County

Attorney III

Holbrook, AZ · On-site

$128K - $159K/yr

Files complaints on misdemeanor and felony cases, including first degree murder involving death penalty case. Prosecutes or defends cases in Justice and Superior Courts. Confers with clients. Advises ...

County of Fresno

DEFENSE ATTORNEY I/II/III/IV

Fresno, CA · On-site

$81K - $103K/yr

Death Penalty Unit - $400.00 per pay period Major Crimes Unit (Homicide & Sexual Assault) - $300.00 ... Defense Attorney II: Acts as defense counsel in criminal cases of average difficulty. Interviews ...

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Death Penalty Attorney information

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$39.5K

$104.1K

$185K

How much do death penalty attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for death penalty attorney in the United States is $104,054.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,500.00 and $148,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a death penalty attorney?

A Death Penalty Attorney is a lawyer who specializes in defending individuals charged with crimes that carry the possibility of a death sentence. These attorneys are experts in criminal law and capital punishment cases, often handling complex legal and ethical issues. They work to ensure clients receive a fair trial and may also handle appeals and post-conviction relief efforts. Their role is crucial in safeguarding the rights of the accused throughout the entire legal process.

What are some unique challenges faced by death penalty attorneys compared to other criminal defense lawyers?

Death penalty attorneys often handle cases with extremely high stakes, as their clients' lives are literally on the line. These cases require meticulous attention to detail, the ability to manage complex legal and forensic evidence, and a deep understanding of both state and federal appeals processes. Attorneys in this field frequently contend with emotionally charged environments, long hours, and the need to build strong, trusting relationships with clients facing the most serious consequences. Collaboration with mitigation specialists, investigators, and expert witnesses is also critical to presenting a comprehensive defense.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a death penalty attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Death Penalty Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and extensive experience in criminal defense, particularly in capital cases. Familiarity with case management software, legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and forensic evidence systems is essential. Outstanding analytical thinking, emotional resilience, and persuasive communication are critical soft skills for building strong cases and supporting clients facing severe consequences. These competencies are vital for navigating complex legal issues, ensuring due process, and advocating effectively in life-or-death situations.

What is the difference between Death Penalty Attorney vs Criminal Defense Attorney?

AspectDeath Penalty AttorneyCriminal Defense Attorney
CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, specialized training in capital casesLaw degree, bar admission, general criminal law experience
Work EnvironmentCourts, law firms, government agencies handling capital casesCourts, law firms, private practice covering various criminal cases
Industry UsageSpecialized within criminal law, focusing on death penalty casesBroad criminal law practice, including non-capital cases

While both Death Penalty Attorneys and Criminal Defense Attorneys handle criminal cases, Death Penalty Attorneys specialize in capital punishment cases, requiring specific training and experience. Criminal Defense Attorneys have a broader scope, representing clients in various criminal matters without necessarily focusing on death penalty cases.

More about Death Penalty Attorney jobs

What states have the most Death Penalty Attorney jobs?

States with the most job openings for Death Penalty Attorney jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Death Penalty Attorney jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Death Penalty Attorney jobs are:

Death Penalty Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Death Penalty Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,054 per year, or $50 per hour.

Summer Intern - 2027

California Appellate Project

San Francisco, CA

Full-time, Temporary, Internship

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

California Appellate Project is committed to cultivating a new generation of criminal defense attorneys. CAP recruits a small number of students for the summer of 2027. Under the supervision of an experienced post-conviction attorney, interns will help provide documentary support, record collection, investigative review, research, writing, and technical assistance to counsel who are appointed to represent indigent persons incarcerated on California's death row.


Summer interns at CAP work full-time for 10 weeks. During this time CAP provides a week of intense legal training in addition assigning legal projects related to California death penalty cases. Remote Access Internships may be available.


Examples of past work assignments that Summer Interns at CAP have completed includes:

* Researching life chronology, family history, and genealogy.Analyzing witness lists and trial testimony; create lists of additional witnesses.
* Researching and assessing the validity of expert testimony presented at trial.
* Summarizing the penalty phase of a trial transcript.
* Collecting and organizing litigation resource materials.
* Evaluating crime scene evidence.
* Reviewing trial testimony, witness statements, and police reports for discrepancies.
* Writing an authoritative article on the media gag rule and outsider access to prisoners on death row.
* Assisting in preparing litigation outlines and chronologies.
* Drafting memorandum on admissibility of evidence of gang affiliation.


CAP is committed to cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. For interested applicants, send us a cover letter, resume, a writing sample, and the names and contact information for 2 references who are familiar with your work. California Appellate Project is committed to cultivating a new generation of criminal defense attorneys. CAP recruits a small number of students for the summer of 2027. We ask internship applicants to relate how their experience, training and work history have prepared them to understand and work well with the clients we serve and their communities.

Apply