Entry Level Public Defender Jobs in Riverside, CA

Salary : $96,969.60 - $107,036.80 Annually
Location : Throughout San Bernardino County, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-04160-01
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 02/09/2026
FLSA: Exempt
The Job
Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number are received.
Start 2025 With A New Career At San Bernardino County!
Are you scheduled to take the California Bar exam or awaiting your California Bar results? We encourage you to apply!
PLANNED STEP INCREASES
SALARY INCREASES
Employees are eligible for merit-based step increases within the salary range, up to the maximum step. Refer to the Attorney's MOU for details.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Attorneys may have the opportunity to work a flexible 9/80 work schedule.
VICTORVILLE/JOSHUA TREE ASSIGNMENT INCENTIVECandidates assigned to the Victorville or Joshua Tree offices may be eligible to receive an additional incentive of $77 per pay period (an extra $2,002 annually!)
See Attorney MOU for details and criteria
The Office of the Public Defender is recruiting for Deputy Public Defenders I. This is an entry level class in the Deputy Public Defender series, offering an exciting learning opportunity for a challenging career in criminal defense work. Deputy Public Defenders I are trained to represent indigent defendants and provide skilled legal counsel and courtroom advocacy at all critical phases of state level criminal and civil commitment litigation.
Public Defenders also conduct legal research, prepare and argue motions, writs, briefs and opinions; interview and counsel clients; participate in developing effective investigation plans for clients; negotiate with opposing counsel; and prepare and conduct trials.
Spanish-English Bilingual Candidates are encouraged to apply and may receive additional compensation for bilingual skills.
For more detailed information, refer to the job description.
Applications are also being accepted forDeputy Public Defender II/III/IV;a separate application is required.
EXCELLENT BENEFITS
To review job-specific benefits, refer to:
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Assignment: Assignments may be made at any location throughout the County depending on the needs of the department.
Background: Applicants must pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting, prior to appointment.
State Bar: Those hired must be active members in good standing with the State Bar of California. This status must be maintained in order to remain employed in this classification.
Promotion: Deputy Public Defender I positions are eligible for promotion to Deputy Public Defender II, III or IV upon meeting the minimum requirements and receiving a satisfactory work performance evaluation (). Deputy Public Defender IV positions may earn up to $207,584.00 annually.
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
License: Active membership and in good standing with the State Bar of California.
Note: Candidates who have passed the State or California Bar Exam and are pending licensure, OR who have taken the State of California Bar Exam and are awaiting results, or who are registered for the next California State Bar Examination, will be considered. California State Bar Membership must be attained in order to be hired.
Desired Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have performed community service and volunteered time working with indigent defendants and family members. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Selection Process
Evaluation: There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the application materials.
Application Procedure: Please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire to be considered. Applications are currently being accepted until a sufficient number have been received; recruitment may close at any time without notice. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.
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.
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.
EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an 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 within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.
Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the
Review this link for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process
Attorney Unit
San Bernardino County offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of other voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.
Please review the appropriate * for more information
Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787,\ or visit the for more detailed information.
*Retirement benefits subject to change.
01
License: Are you a member in good standing with the State Bar of California?

• Yes
• No

02
If you have received your CA Bar License Number, please list here and specify date issued and expiration date. (If you do not have a license number, write in N/A.)
03
Do you have experience as a Law Clerk/Intern/Attorney (paid/volunteer) with the San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office?

• Yes
• No

04
Criminal Law: Describe your experience as a Law Clerk/Intern/Attorney in the area of Criminal Law, including paid/volunteer experience. Be sure to describe any experience with a Public Defender's Office or in a law office practicing criminal defense. Include your title, the employer/agency name, start and end dates, and specific duties you performed for each position listed.
05
Do you have any experience as a Law Clerk/Intern/Attorney (paid/volunteer) working with the Indigent Population)?

• Yes
• No

06
Indigent Population: Describe any experience you may have as a Law Clerk/Intern/Attorney working with the Indigent Population, including paid/volunteer experience.Include your title, the employer/agency name, start and end dates, and specific duties you performed for each position listed.
07
Other Law Office Experience: Describe your experience as a Law Clerk/Intern/Attorney in the other areas of public or private sector law, including paid/volunteer experience. Specify type of agency and areas of law.Include your title, the employer/agency name, start and end dates, and specific duties you performed for each position listed.
08
**ATTENTION GMAIL USERS**
We have become aware of an increase in Gmail's spam filter sensitivity. Due to this change, it is possible that emails coming from San Bernardino County Human Resources may be marked as spam and will not make it into your Gmail inbox.
For your convenience, the attached PDF document contains a step-by-step guide to create and apply filters within Gmail. To access the guide, Once downloaded, follow the instructions so that you will receive future emails from San Bernardino County Human Resources.
Note: If you apply the filters and still do not receive emails from San Bernardino County Human Resources you can check your (Neogov) account inbox. All notifications will appear there.

• I understand

09
Applicant Acknowledgement - Notification via email: As part of our efforts to increase efficiency and promote conservation of resources, human resources uses email to communicate with applicants. Therefore, all future communications regarding this recruitment, including applicant status and testing notifications, will be made via email. Each applicant needs their own email address. We strongly encourage you, as an applicant, to ensure that the email address you have provided us with your application is current, secure, confidential, and readily accessible to you. Adjust Spam and/or other filters so that our emails are accepted. Please carefully read any notices that we send you and follow any instructions provided in a timely manner. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails (i.e., for the non-delivery of our emails or if you fail to check your e-mail on a timely basis).

• I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to the above.

10
Applicant Acknowledgement - Application Complete: Thank you for taking the time to complete this application and supplemental questionnaire. Please be sure to review all information provided prior to submitting it as you cannot update or revise it once submitted. Your submitted application will be reviewed and evaluated as is. Please do not refer to a resume or other documentation in lieu of completing the employment history section or responding to the supplemental questions; they will not be reviewed or considered.
Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email confirmation will be sent to the email address listed on your application. 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.

• I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and understand that I will not be able to update or revise any part of it once submitted.

11
CA Bar Examination Status: If you are not yet licensed, indicate your CA Bar Examination Status below:

• I have not yet taken or registered for the CA Bar Examination.
• I am registered to take the CA Bar Examination.
• I have passed the CA Bar Examination and am pending licensure.
• I have taken and am awaiting results of the CA Bar Examination.

12
If you passed or are awaiting results of the CA Bar Exam, please list the date you tested below. For example:

July 2022 (awaiting results)

February 2022 (passed and pending licensure)

Required Question