Description:
Career DescriptionDeputy Public Defender Attorney I, Ii, Iii
Salary Information:
- Attorney I ............... $96,699.20 up To $116,896 Annually
- Attorney Ii .............. $113,089.60 up To $126,048 Annually
- Attorney Iii ............. $129,417.60 up To $179,233.60 Annually
Salary May Be Negotiable Within the Range Listed Above, Based on Position Requirements and Successful Candidate's Qualifications, Subject to Appropriate Authorization.
Bilingual Pay
An Additional $0.20 per Hour Is Paid for This Position to Bilingual Employees (fluently Speak, Read, and Write) in Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean (in Addition to English). Employees Must Pass the Bilingual Exam and Be Certified to Be Eligible for Supplemental Pay.
Open to The Public
This Recruitment Is Being Held to Establish an Open Eligible List to Fill Current and Future Deputy Public Defender Attorney I, Ii, and Iii Positions. the Public Defender Will Fill Vacancies from The Eligible List Established from This Recruitment. Online Applications Will Be Accepted Beginning on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. This Recruitment Will Remain Open on A Continuous Basis until 11:59 P.M. (pst) on The Day the Needs of The Department/county Are Met.
Qualified Applicants Are Encouraged to Apply Immediately for Priority Consideration.
To Be Considered During the First Round of Consideration, Please Submit Your Application By: Friday, July 24, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (pst).
Offices of The Public Defender
The Orange County Public Defender's Office Is a Law Firm of Highly Dedicated and Skilled Attorneys, Investigators, Paralegals, and Support Staff Who Work to Advance a More Humane and Compassionate Justice System by Protecting the Constitutional Rights and Freedoms of The Diverse Communities of Orange County Through Inspired, Client-Centered Advocacy in The Courtroom and The Community.
The Principal Role of The Offices of The Public Defender Is to Provide Each Client with High Quality Representation, Thereby Protecting Their Constitutional Rights and Liberties. in Advancing the Cause of These Clients, the Dedicated Lawyers and Support Staff Are on The Front Lines Protecting the Precious Rights and Privileges of All Orange County Residents.
In Addition to Clients in Criminal Cases, Counsel Is Appointed to Represent Children in Juvenile Court Delinquency Cases, Parents in Dependency Cases, and A Variety of Persons in Mental Health Cases.
Please Click Here (http://www.pubdef.ocgov.com/) for More Information.
The Opportunity:
As a Deputy Public Defender You Will Enforce and Protect the Constitutional Rights, Privileges and Freedoms of Individuals by Providing the Highest Quality Legal Advocacy for All Clients in The Courts of Orange County, Which in Turn Helps Protect Those Important Rights for All County Residents. the Assignment May Be at Any of Our Various Locations or Units and Will Include Criminal, Mental Health, and Dependency Cases. This Is an In-Person Assignment, and The Duties Cannot Be Performed Remotely/virtually.
Are You:
- An Attorney Who Would Like to Learn to Be a Skilled Trial Lawyer?
- A Caring, Empathetic Humanitarian Who Would Like a Job that Provides You with Great Personal Fulfillment?
- Able to Effectively Communicate with A Judge, District Attorney and A Jury?
- A Team Player Who Has a Zeal for The Freedoms Guaranteed by Our Constitution?
- An Individual Who Can Deliver the Mission of The Offices of The Public Defender in An Ethical and Responsible Manner?
The Ideal Candidate:
The Ideal Candidate Will Be an Attorney Who Is Passionate About the Law and Has a Desire to Become a Skilled Trial Litigant. the Candidate Will Possess Strong Ethical Standards, Good Organizational Skills, and An Unwavering Commitment to Provide the Best Legal Representation for Their Clients.
In Addition to The Minimum Qualifications for Deputy Public Defender Attorney I, Ii, Iii, the Ideal Candidate Will Have Attorney Experience in The Practice of Criminal Law with Experience in Litigation and Trial Work.
Minimum Qualifications:
To Learn More About the Minimum Qualifications, Physical & Mental Requirements, and Environmental Conditions for Each Deputy Public Defender Attorney Classification, Please Select the Respective Link Below:
Attorney I: Click Here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/classspecs/26618) to Read the Complete Job Classification for Attorney I.
Experience:
None Required
License Required
Must Be an Active Member of The State Bar of California and Eligible to Practice Law in The State of California. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential
Must Be an Active Member of The State Bar of California and Eligible to Practice Law in The State of California. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential
Functions of The Job.
Or
Candidates Who Will Sit for The July 2026 California Bar Examination or Recently Sat for The July 2026 California Bar Examination and Are Awaiting Results Are Eligible to Apply. an Active California State Bar Membership and Eligibility to Practice Law in The State of California Must Be Attained by Date of Appointment and Maintained Throughout Employment. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential Functions of The Job.
Attorney Ii: Click Here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/classspecs/26619) to Read the Complete Job Classification for Attorney Ii.
Experience:
Or
Candidates Who Will Sit for The July 2026 California Bar Examination or Recently Sat for The July 2026 California Bar Examination and Are Awaiting Results Are Eligible to Apply. an Active California State Bar Membership and Eligibility to Practice Law in The State of California Must Be Attained by Date of Appointment and Maintained Throughout Employment. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential Functions of The Job.
Attorney Ii: Click Here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/classspecs/26619) to Read the Complete Job Classification for Attorney Ii.
Experience:
Twelve (12) Months of Experience as An Attorney in The Practice of Criminal Law. Post-Bar Attorney Experience in A Civil or General Practice Law Office May Be Substituted for The Criminal Experience on A Two-Month for One-Month Basis.
License Required
Must Be an Active Member of The State Bar of California and Eligible to Practice Law in The State of California. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential
Must Be an Active Member of The State Bar of California and Eligible to Practice Law in The State of California. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential
Functions of The Job.
Or
Members in Good Standing of California State Bar and Have Been Assigned a License Number, but Have Inactive Membership Status Are Also Welcome to Apply. an Active California State Bar Membership and Eligibility to Practice Law in The State of California Must Be Attained by Date of Appointment and Maintained Throughout Employment. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential Functions of The Job.
Attorney Iii: Click Here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/classspecs/26620) to Read the Complete Job Classification for Attorney Iii.
Experience:
Or
Members in Good Standing of California State Bar and Have Been Assigned a License Number, but Have Inactive Membership Status Are Also Welcome to Apply. an Active California State Bar Membership and Eligibility to Practice Law in The State of California Must Be Attained by Date of Appointment and Maintained Throughout Employment. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential Functions of The Job.
Attorney Iii: Click Here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/classspecs/26620) to Read the Complete Job Classification for Attorney Iii.
Experience:
Two (2) Years of Experience as An Attorney in The Practice of Criminal Law. Post-Bar Attorney Experience in A Civil or General Practice Law Office May Be Substituted for The Criminal Experience on A Two-Month for One-Month Basis.
License Required
Must Be an Active Member of The State Bar of California and Eligible to Practice Law in The State of California. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential
License Required
Must Be an Active Member of The State Bar of California and Eligible to Practice Law in The State of California. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential
Functions of The Job.
Or
Members in Good Standing of California State Bar and Have Been Assigned a License Number, but Have Inactive Membership Status Are Also Welcome to Apply. an Active California State Bar Membership and Eligibility to Practice Law in The State of California Must Be Attained by Date of Appointment and Maintained Throughout Employment. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential Functions of The Job.
Please Note: Years of Experience Are Calculated Based upon The Work Rate of 40 Hours per Week.
Background Verification/ Sanction Screening
All Employment Offers Are Contingent upon Successful Completion of A Background Check Consisting of Employment History, Professional References, Conviction History, Criminal Check and Education Verification (i.E., Certificate, Degree, License, and Official Transcript). State Bar Membership Must Be Attained, and Candidates Will Be Required to Provide Proof of Successful Admission to The State Bar of California Prior to Appointment/conditional Job Offer. Special Requirements: Appointees Must Pass a Background Investigation to The Satisfaction of The County of Orange Public Defender's Office (for All Levels), Including a Fingerprint Check Though Live Scan. Applicants Will Also Be Required to Answer a Conviction Questionnaire as Part of The Background Process. a Clean Driving Record May Be Required While Employed in This Classification (see Minimum Qualifications and Classification Description for Required License).
Note: Foreign Degrees Require an Evaluation of U.S. Equivalency by An Agency that Is a Member of The National Association of Credential Services (n.A.C.E.S.).
Physical and Mental Requirements and E
Or
Members in Good Standing of California State Bar and Have Been Assigned a License Number, but Have Inactive Membership Status Are Also Welcome to Apply. an Active California State Bar Membership and Eligibility to Practice Law in The State of California Must Be Attained by Date of Appointment and Maintained Throughout Employment. Possession of A California Class C Driver License or The Ability to Use an Alternative Method of Transportation to Carry out The Essential Functions of The Job.
Please Note: Years of Experience Are Calculated Based upon The Work Rate of 40 Hours per Week.
Background Verification/ Sanction Screening
All Employment Offers Are Contingent upon Successful Completion of A Background Check Consisting of Employment History, Professional References, Conviction History, Criminal Check and Education Verification (i.E., Certificate, Degree, License, and Official Transcript). State Bar Membership Must Be Attained, and Candidates Will Be Required to Provide Proof of Successful Admission to The State Bar of California Prior to Appointment/conditional Job Offer. Special Requirements: Appointees Must Pass a Background Investigation to The Satisfaction of The County of Orange Public Defender's Office (for All Levels), Including a Fingerprint Check Though Live Scan. Applicants Will Also Be Required to Answer a Conviction Questionnaire as Part of The Background Process. a Clean Driving Record May Be Required While Employed in This Classification (see Minimum Qualifications and Classification Description for Required License).
Note: Foreign Degrees Require an Evaluation of U.S. Equivalency by An Agency that Is a Member of The National Association of Credential Services (n.A.C.E.S.).
Physical and Mental Requirements and E
