Annual Salaries:
Defense Attorney I: $75,218 - $96,044 Annually
Defense Attorney II: $87,802 - $112,034 Annually
Defense Attorney III: $105,326 - $134,446 Annually
Defense Attorney IV: $123,292 - $157,326 Annually
The Fresno County Public Defender's Office is offering rewarding and challenging career opportunities to experienced legal professionals as a Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV, including opportunities focusing on the intersection of criminal and immigration issues as an Immigration Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV.
The Public Defender's Office is dedicated to the full and fair representation of all persons in the community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action. It is the goal of the Public Defender's Office to protect every client's constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment and disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no one who is innocent is ever wrongfully convicted. The Public Defender's Office provides all mandated legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while holding themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards.
Defense Attorney positions are in Medical Group I – Light Physical Activity. This group includes positions which require only light physical effort and may include lifting of small, light objects and some bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching. Considerable walking or standing may be involved.
Eligible candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Defense Attorney I:
- Receives orientation to the operations, processes and procedures of the Public Defender's Office.
- Performs legal research and investigation in the preparation of cases for court.
- Prepares briefs.
- May present a full range of misdemeanor cases in court upon assignment.
- Performs other work as required.
Defense Attorney II:
- Acts as defense counsel in criminal cases of average difficulty.
- Interviews and advises defendants and witnesses.
- Studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
- Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings and other legal proceedings.
Defense Attorney III:
- Acts as defense counsel in major criminal cases.
- Interviews and advises clients and witnesses.
- Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
- Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
- May occasionally assign, review, and coordinate the professional legal work of lower level attorneys.
Defense Attorney IV:
- Acts as defense counsel in complex and sensitive criminal cases.
- Interviews and advises clients and witnesses.
- Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
- Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
- Assigns, reviews, and coordinates the professional legal work of lower level attorneys.
- Does advanced legal research under only policy guidance.
Minimum Requirements:
Defense Attorney I:
- Membership in the State Bar of California.
- License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Defense Attorney II:
- Membership in the State Bar of California.
- Experience: One year of experience in professional legal work or full-time law clerk experience.
- License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Defense Attorney III:
- Membership in the State Bar of California.
- Experience: Two years of experience in professional legal work, including one year with primary emphasis as a trial attorney in criminal law.
- License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Defense Attorney IV:
- Membership in the State Bar of California.
- Experience: Three years of professional legal work, including two years with primary emphasis as a trial attorney in criminal law.
- License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified applicants may submit a completed application and resume to:
Suzanne Galindo-Luna, Executive Assistant
SGalindo-Luna@fresnocountyca.gov
Public Defender's Office
2135 Fresno Street, Suite 100
Fresno, CA 93721
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR PDF VERSION OF FRESNO COUNTY APPLICATION
Apply immediately; application materials will be reviewed until positions are filled.
The Public Defender's Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. For additional information, please call (559) 600-1581.
SPECIALIZATION INCENTIVE: A Defense Attorney who completes certification through the California Bar as a Criminal Law Specialist shall receive $274 per pay period in addition to their normal pay.
PERFORMANCE ALLOWANCE – DEFENSE ATTORNEY II/III/IV/SENIOR: Defense Attorney II/III/IV/Seniors who are demonstrating exemplary performance in a “specialized” assignment may receive an allowance as detailed below as determined by the Public Defender:
- Death Penalty Unit – $400.00 per pay period
- Major Crimes Unit (Homicide & Sexual Assault) – $300.00 per pay period
- Domestic Violence and Felony Unit – $150.00 per pay period
The County of Fresno is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Fresno County to provide employment opportunity 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, genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factor.
For the safety of our employees, the County of Fresno complies with all Federal, State and Local Orders related to COVID-19, including Cal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Fresno is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process may contact the Public Defender's Office at (559) 600-1581.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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