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Public Defender Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Deloitte

SOC Engineer III

Huntsville, AL · On-site

Serving federal, state, & local government clients as well as public higher education institutions ... Our Cyber Defense & Resilience offering assists clients in defending against advanced threats by ...

Deloitte

Project System Administrator

Huntsville, AL

Serving federal, state, & local government clients as well as public higher education institutions ... Our Cyber Defense & Resilience offering assists clients in defending against advanced threats by ...

Deloitte

Project System Administrator

Huntsville, AL · On-site

Serving federal, state, & local government clients as well as public higher education institutions ... Our Cyber Defense & Resilience offering assists clients in defending against advanced threats by ...

Deloitte

SOC Engineer III

Huntsville, AL

Serving federal, state, & local government clients as well as public higher education institutions ... Our Cyber Defense & Resilience offering assists clients in defending against advanced threats by ...

ASRC Federal Holding

Graphic Designer

Redstone Arsenal, AL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

ASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and ... for presenting and defending design choices. • Organization & Workflow • Excellent time ...

Alpine Intel

Fire Investigator

Mobile, AL · Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Must have at least 2 years of hands on experience working in the public and/or private sectors performing fire origin and cause investigations on residential and commercial structures. * Must be well ...

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Showing results 21-38

All JobsPublic Defender JobsPublic Defender Jobs in Alabama

Public Defender information

See Alabama salary details

$25.4K

$97.5K

$167.2K

How much do public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for public defender in Alabama is $97,467.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $121,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public defender?

A 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 all defendants receive fair legal representation, regardless of their financial status. Public Defenders work to protect the rights of their clients, provide legal advice, and represent them in court. They handle a variety of cases, from minor offenses to serious felonies, and are crucial in upholding the justice system's commitment to due process.

How to become a public defender?

Public defenders must be licensed to practice law by their state bar. To work as a public defender, complete your bachelor’s degree, take the LSAT exam, and attend law school to earn a J.D. degree. Focus your studies on criminal defense law, and hone your research skills. During your law school summers take internships in public defender offices. You can also intern in a prosecutor’s office or a public interest firm to gain experience for a career as a public defender. After you complete law school you must pass your state’s bar exam. Most states also require legal professionals to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). Once you are licensed to practice law in your state, you can apply to public defender offices.

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

To thrive as a Public Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a deep understanding of criminal law and courtroom procedures. Proficiency in legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), case management systems, and trial preparation tools is essential. Outstanding communication, empathy, resilience, and negotiation skills are vital for connecting with clients and advocating effectively. These skills ensure that clients receive a robust defense, uphold justice, and navigate the legal system equitably.

What are some common challenges faced by public defenders in their daily work?

Public defenders often manage large caseloads and tight deadlines, which can make it challenging to dedicate ample time to each client. They frequently work with clients who may have limited trust in the legal system or face complex social and personal issues. Collaboration with investigators, social workers, and other attorneys is essential for gathering evidence and building strong defenses. Despite these challenges, public defenders play a crucial role in ensuring fair representation and upholding justice for those who cannot afford private counsel.

What is the difference between Public Defender vs Criminal Defense Attorney?

AspectPublic DefenderCriminal Defense Attorney
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar license, often government employmentLaw degree, bar license, private practice or firm affiliation
Work EnvironmentGovernment offices, courtrooms, public service settingsPrivate law firms, solo practices, or corporate offices
EmployerGovernment agencies or public defender officesPrivate clients or law firms
Common UsageRepresent indigent defendants in criminal casesRepresent clients in criminal cases, including those who can afford private counsel

Public defenders and criminal defense attorneys both handle criminal cases, but public defenders work for government agencies representing indigent clients, while criminal defense attorneys are private practitioners representing paying clients. The roles overlap in legal credentials and courtroom work but differ mainly in employment setting and client base.

More about Public Defender jobs

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

What job categories do people searching Public Defender jobs in Alabama look for?

The top searched job categories for Public Defender jobs in Alabama are:

What cities in Alabama are hiring for Public Defender jobs?

Cities in Alabama with the most Public Defender job openings:

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

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

Public Defender jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Defender job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,467 per year, or $46.9 per hour.

General Attorney

US Department of Homeland Security

Birmingham, AL

$63K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

97th of 294 rated public sector bodies

Job description

Launch a prestigious career as an Attorney with ICE's Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA)! Join a legal team dedicated to defending the nation's immigration laws and safeguarding the United States with expertise and integrity.
Organization Location: This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies at various locations throughout the United States.
The salary range listed is the General Schedule (GS) base rate. Click here to access the GS locality pay tables.Qualifications:Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on 02/05/2027. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification.
Applicants should possess an ability to efficiently produce quality legal analyses of complex and novel issues, exercise sound legal judgment, be detail oriented, prioritize competing assignments, and work effectively independently, as part of a team, and across work units. Applicants should have a strong interest in supporting and providing stellar client services to diverse program offices including law enforcement officers, policymakers, attorneys, and agency senior leadership, and must be able to tailor communications to a particular audience. Applicants should be able to demonstrate an ability to take initiative and work in a reliable, decisive, and professional manner. Applicants should possess the following characteristics and competencies: integrity, sound professional judgment, organizational skills, decisiveness, initiative, stellar client services, the ability to function independently and cooperatively, and superior written and oral advocacy skills.
Bar Membership: You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 C.F.R. 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.Education:Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LLM degree. Please see Required Documents for more information.
A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003

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