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Public Defender Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

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Public Defender information

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$20.9K

$80.4K

$137.9K

How much do public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for public defender in Florida is $80,359.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,900.00 and $100,100.00 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

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Defender jobs in Florida?

The most popular types of Public Defender jobs in Florida are:

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

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

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

What cities in Florida are hiring for Public Defender jobs?

Cities in Florida with the most Public Defender job openings:

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

Public Defender jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Defender job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,359 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21006125

MyFlorida

Tallahassee, FL

$84K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Requisition No: 881364 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21006125

 Pay Plan: Pub.DefndrsJAC

Position Number: 21006125 

Salary:  $84,471.00 

Posting Closing Date: 12/15/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Attorney - Assistant Public Defender - Felony Division

The Work You Will Do:

The Office of the Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit is seeking qualified applicants for an Assistant Public Defender in the felony trial division.

  • The primary responsibility of assistant public defenders is to provide effective and professional legal representation to people charged with criminal offenses.

 

How You Will Grow:

The Office of the Public Defender provides in-house training opportunities monthly, as well as opportunities to attend seminars and training opportunities offered by the National Association of Public Defense, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Public Defender Association and more.

Pay:

  • Starting salary: $84,471.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctorate;
  • Applicants must be a member of and in good standing with The Florida Bar;
  • Three (3) or more years' experience in criminal defense litigation.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Florida Rules Criminal Procedure, Florida Rules of Evidence, and Florida Criminal Statutes.

Please note:

  • All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
  • Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.

Our Organization and Mission:

The Office of the Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit provides legal representation for indigent individuals accused of criminal offenses. The Second Judicial Circuit encompasses six Florida counties: Leon, Gadsden, Liberty, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin.

Each fiscal year, the Second Judicial Circuit represents indigent clients in both criminal trial and criminal appeal appointments, equating to nearly 16,500 criminal cases for six (6) Florida counties and over 1,100 cases on appeal for the 32 counties that make up the First District Court of Appeal.

The Office of Public Defender came into existence in 1963 following the United States Supreme Court's landmark decision in Gideon v. Wainwright.  The Court ruled that indigent citizens have the fundamental right to the assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Under the direction of Public Defender Jessica J. Yeary, the office is comprised of dedicated criminal defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and support staff who work tirelessly to ensure equal justice for all.

 

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

The Office of the Public Defender is not an agency in the State Personnel System, but offers the same benefits as state agencies, including State Group Insurance and participation in the Florida Retirement System. 

The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

  • Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
  • Paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
  • State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and other supplemental insurance options.
  • Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com),
  • Tuition waivers,
  • And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

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