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Habeas Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Habeas information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$44.9K

$152.6K

$220.1K

How much do habeas jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for habeas in Riverside, CA is $152,609.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,200.00 and $198,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a habeas job?

Habeas jobs typically refer to legal positions or roles related to habeas corpus, which is a legal procedure to determine if a person's imprisonment or detention is lawful. Professionals in this field, such as lawyers or paralegals, work on cases that challenge the legality of a person's detention, often in criminal or immigration contexts. These jobs require strong research, writing, and advocacy skills, as they involve preparing petitions, representing clients in court, and analyzing complex legal issues. Habeas practitioners play a crucial role in protecting individuals' rights to fair treatment under the law.

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

To thrive as a Habeas Corpus Attorney, you need a strong foundation in constitutional law, criminal procedure, legal research, and an accredited law degree with bar admission. Familiarity with legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), case management systems, and appellate filing procedures is essential. Exceptional critical thinking, persuasive writing, and strong advocacy skills make someone stand out in this role. These competencies are crucial for effectively challenging unlawful detentions and ensuring clients' constitutional rights are protected.

What are some common challenges faced by attorneys handling habeas corpus cases?

Attorneys working on habeas corpus cases often encounter challenges such as navigating complex procedural rules and strict filing deadlines, as well as gathering and presenting new evidence that was not available during the original trial. They may also need to conduct in-depth legal research and develop persuasive arguments to demonstrate a violation of constitutional rights. Collaboration with investigators, experts, and sometimes family members of the petitioner is common, making strong communication and organizational skills essential. Additionally, these cases can be emotionally demanding due to the high stakes involved for clients.

What is the difference between Habeas vs Paralegal?

AspectHabeasParalegal
Required CredentialsLegal education, often a law degree or specialized trainingAssociate's degree or paralegal certification
Work EnvironmentCourts, legal offices, or detention facilitiesLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal system, criminal justice, civil rightsLegal support roles across various law sectors

Habeas and paralegals both work within the legal field, but Habeas focuses on legal petitions related to unlawful detention, requiring specialized legal knowledge. Paralegals assist lawyers with case preparation and legal research. While Habeas practitioners often have legal credentials and work directly in courts, paralegals support legal teams across multiple practice areas. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the legal industry.

What are popular job titles related to Habeas jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Habeas jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Habeas jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Habeas jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Habeas jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Habeas job openings:

Infographic showing various Habeas job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,609 per year, or $73.4 per hour.

Deputy District Attorney III/IV (Writs and Appeals)

Riverside, CA

$137K - $221K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section. ABOUT THE POSITION The Riverside County District Attorney's Office seeks a Deputy District Attorney at the III or IV level to support the Writs and Appeals team under the Special Prosecutions Section. This position will be located in Riverside, but will assist with cases Countywide.

As a Deputy District Attorney III/IV, the selected candidate will specialize in writs and appeals and other post-conviction work, in addition to traditional trial prosecution. This includes drafting appellate briefs, responding to writ petitions and habeas corpus matters, conducting comprehensive record review, preparing legal analyses and documents related to policy and legislation, evaluating and advising on Brady disclosure obligations, and performing other litigation and appellate duties as assigned. The department seeks candidates with strong appellate, civil, or regulatory experience who demonstrate exceptional legal research and writing skills.

Experience in writs, appeals, or post-conviction matters is highly desirable. Relevant experience may include appellate practice, post-conviction litigation, Public Records Act and/or Freedom of Information Act, grand jury work, statewide civil litigation, State Bar or Judicial Council investigations or litigation, or other complex assignments. Please click here to learn more about this opportunity.

This position is eligible for a 9/80 schedule and may require travel throughout the Riverside County. Deputy District Attorney III/IV Salary Range Deputy District Attorney III Deputy District Attorney IV $65.87 - $88.93 Hourly $69.29 - $106.45 Hourly $11,416.67 - $15,413.89 Monthly $12,010.44 - $18,451.12 Monthly $137,000.00 - $184,966.63 Annually $144,125.25 - $221,413.39 Annually The level at which the position will be filled is at the department's discretion and based on candidate qualifications. The Deputy District Attorney IV classification is the advanced journey level in the Deputy District Attorney series

Positions in this class are distinguished from positions in the Deputy District Attorney III class by the performance of more difficult and responsible legal work. Assignments typically involve lead supervision, difficult litigation, unique projects, and legislative representation. Meet the Team.

The District Attorney of Riverside County, as the public prosecutor acting on behalf of the People, vigorously enforces the law, pursues the truth, protects those victimized by crime, exonerates the innocent, and safeguards the rights of all to ensure that justice is done on behalf of our community. The office's staff of over 700 is comprised of prosecuting attorneys, sworn investigators, victim-witness advocates, paralegals, investigative technicians, forensic analysts, and a wide range of information technology and supporting staff all committed to excellence and integrity in public service. We are, and we seek to maintain, a diverse workforce to match a diverse county.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES Deputy District Attorney III Prepares and files appellate briefs; responds to writ petitions and habeas corpus matters; handles post-conviction work. Conducts comprehensive record review; prepares legal analyses and documents related to policy and legislation. Evaluates and advises on Brady disclosure obligations; and performs other litigation and appellate duties as assigned.

Investigates, researches, and prepares all types of cases for prosecution; presents and prosecutes cases before all courts within the State. Interviews and advises law enforcement officers and the public in regard to the issuance of criminal complaints; acts as a senior deputy for cases in branch Municipal Courts; negotiates with the defense regarding the disposition or modification of charges in cases. Performs legal research in specialized areas of prosecution; studies, interprets, and applies statutes, ordinances, court decisions, and legal opinions.

May assist in the training of other deputies. May act for higher level deputies in their absence; dictates correspondence and prepares reports. May coordinate the work of support personnel.

Deputy District Attorney IV Prepares and files appellate briefs; responds to writ petitions and habeas corpus matters; handles post-conviction work. Conducts comprehensive record review; prepares legal analyses and documents related to policy and legislation. Evaluates and advises on Brady disclosure obligations; and performs other litigation and appellate duties as assigned.

Prepares and presents evidence and arguments for the prosecution of difficult felony cases involving multiple defendants and multiple charges, and having serious consequences of error, or a high degree of public interest. Negotiates with defense counsel regarding the disposition of cases or modification of charges; performs specialized legal research and litigation in unique and complex areas of law; trains and consults with other attorneys on points of law, evidence, and legal procedures. May assign, review, and evaluate the work of journey level deputies in the litigation of civil, misdemeanor, and felony cases of average difficulty and complexity.

Directs the planning, implementation, and evaluation of specialized projects. May act for superiors in their absence or at their direction. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY III Option I Experience: One year of experience as a Deputy District Attorney II in Riverside County or in an equivalent class with another government agency.

Option II Experience: Two years of experience in the practice of criminal law. Option III Experience: Three years of experience in the practice of law. DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY IV Experience: One year of experience as a Deputy District Attorney III in Riverside County, or in an equivalent class in the office of another prosecuting attorney in California.

Other Requirements for Both Levels License/Certificate: Active membership in the State Bar of California. Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required. Background Check: Must be able to pass an extensive background check.

Knowledge of: Legal principles and their application; California statutory and case law; the rules of evidence and the conduct of court proceedings; the duties, powers, limitations, and authority of the District Attorney's Office; the methods, procedures, and practices of prosecution; professional ethics in the practice of law. Ability to: Analyze complex legal problems and apply legal principles and practices; present facts, arguments, and laws clearly and logically in written and oral form; perform legal research; work cooperatively with others. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Stephanie Rodriguez at (951) 955-5776 or sterodriguez@rivco.org

Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries. ________________________________________________________________________________________ APPLICATION INFORMATION Veteran's Preference The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application.

Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration

For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies Reasonable Accommodations The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability Work Location and Telework In-person attendance is the standard work expectation for County of Riverside assignments. Certain assignments may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule; however, telework arrangements are subject to management approval, operational needs, and/or may be modified or discontinued at any time

Employees who telework are expected to be able to report to their assigned worksite on short notice or as operational needs require. Unless otherwise specified for a particular position, employees are expected to reside in California following appointment. Limited exceptions may apply.

Applicants should contact the assigned recruiter for additional information regarding work location expectations, telework eligibility, and residency requirements. Proof of Education If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Work Authorization Requirement Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas. Equal Opportunity Employer The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors. Pre-Employment All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).

A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required. Probationary Period As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies. Job postings may close without notice based on application volume.

Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.