Deputy Public Defender
Open to members in good standing with the California Bar Association. Prior trial experience strongly considered. Overall commitment to excellence and dedication to indigent criminal defense a must. Attorneys are responsible for handling a demanding caseload through all phases of litigation while coordinating the efforts of their support team, including investigators, paralegals, experts and legal processing clerks. Professional development by attending trainings both within and without the office expected. How to apply.
Public Defender Investigator
Investigators independently examine the facts and witnesses in a case. Duties include locating and interviewing witnesses, examination of evidence, preservation and re-creation of crime scenes, and the serving of subpoenas. Investigators confer with the defense team on the preparation and defense of criminal cases, testifying in court as necessary.
Candidates must possess strong people skills, the ability to look beyond assumptions, and the willingness to reexamine facts. Tenacity and creativity are also important job skills. Click on this link to register for electronic notification of job opportunities and see salary information: How to apply.
Paralegal
Paralegals provide attorneys with litigation support, including legal research; follow-up client interviews; preparing social histories; assisting in the preparation of legal documents and instruments; creating trial binders and exhibits, creating PowerPoint presentations and taking notes during trial.
Paralegals must be self-motivated and possess excellent organization and communications skills. Click on this link to register for electronic notification of job opportunities and see salary information: How to apply.
Social Worker
Social workers interview and assess Public Defender clients in order to develop a re-entry service plan or referrals to substance abuse, mental health, as well as vocational training programs. Social workers play an important role in the defense team, providing attorneys with the means to advocate for alternatives to incarceration and sentence mitigation.
Candidates should possess work experience in programs that provide services to incarcerated individuals or to individuals battling chemical dependency. Click on this link to register for electronic notification of job opportunities and see salary information: How to apply.
Support Staff
Clerks, transcriptionists, and receptionists form the Public Defender’s support staff team. Support staff perform detailed clerical work, including retrieving legal documents; responding to inquiries made in-person and over the telephone; utilizing computer terminals to retrieve and input information; assembling legal papers and case files; filing motions and other legal papers; distributing mail and delivering legal papers; evaluating and transcribing various types of documents by listening to dictated material and operating transcribing equipment; interfacing with office staff, clients and members of the public.
Candidates must be flexible and thrive in a fast paced environment. Click on these links to register for electronic notification of job opportunities and see salary information: How to apply for Legal Process Clerk position or Senior Legal Process Clerk position.