Attorney I - Public Defender

Are you a courageous, compassionate, client-centered defender with a passion for social justice? Do you want to join a defender team that is fiercely committed to building a model public defense agency that combines zealous advocacy, holistic representation, and community fengagement? Are you committed to working in an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging? Come join the amazing team at the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender as our next Misdemeanor Attorney.

This position is the entry and first professional level of the Attorney - Public Defender series. Misdemeanor attorneys at Public Defender's Office work as part of interdisciplinary defense teams and provide high-quality holistic representation to community members charged with misdemeanor offenses. As an attorney on our misdemeanor team, you will represent clients at every stage of a criminal proceeding, including jury trials

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be: Graduation from law school. Incumbents are required to be members of the California State Bar, but need no experience practicing law and will work under the direction of a more experienced attorney.

Special Requirements: Membership in the California State Bar is required for all levels.

Note: For Attorney I, law school graduates who have taken the California Bar Exam and not yet received their results, may participate in a recruitment/examination process. Names of candidates who pass the County examination will be placed "inactive" on the eligible list until the County receives written confirmation of their passing the California State Bar Exam. To see full job specification, including knowledge and abilities, please click below: Job Specification (https://www2.santacruzcountyca.gov/personnel/Specs/JG4spec.html)