Public Defender Jobs in California
Public Defender jobs in California represent one of the most active public-sector legal markets in the country, concentrated across county public defender offices, indigent defense nonprofits, and the state's expansive criminal justice system at every level from staff attorney to supervising and chief deputy. The largest hiring volumes are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where offices like the Los Angeles County Public Defender, the San Francisco Public Defender, and the San Diego County Public Defender consistently recruit. The most in-demand specialties include felony trial work, juvenile defense, and mental health law. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Napa Valley
Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities.
The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.
Napa County as an Employer
As an organization, the County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. Learn more HERE.
The Position
About the Position:
The Attorney III will have the experience and ability to handle complex felony cases with clients facing potentially lengthy prison exposure and cases that present challenging and complicated legal issues. The Attorney III will demonstrate proven experience as a criminal defense lawyer, a strong understanding of criminal law and legal procedure, excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work under pressure, and experience handling high-profile and complex criminal cases.
Job duties will include:
- Reviewing police reports and other relevant discovery,
- Conducting legal research, drafting and litigating appropriate motions,
- Directing investigation, including contacting witnesses, issuing subpoenas and collecting relevant documents,
- Communicating with clients to explain legal processes and developments,
- Advising clients of legal rights and options,
- Appearing with and for clients at all court hearings, including trials, other hearings and sentencings,
- Negotiating with the prosecution to obtain the best outcome for the client,
- Taking felony cases to trial, including serious and violent felonies, multiple strike cases and/or sex offenses,
- Perform other related duties as required.
Experience and Education:
Experience: Four years of general legal experience or three years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney II equivalent in Napa County.
Education: Graduation from an accredited law school.
License or Certificate:*
- Active membership in the California State Bar Association.
- Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
- Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.
The list established by this recruitment may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra help vacancies for up to one year.
Supplemental questions will be scored by subject matter experts. Only the most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview.
Only the most qualified candidates from the Oral Panel Interview will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.
Example of Duties
View the full job description, including the example of duties, Attorney III
Benefits
Learn more about the benefits package for this position HERE.
Disaster Service Workers:
Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, flood, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (CA Govt Code § 31012).
ADA Accommodation:
Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.
Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
SALARY -
Salaries are based on a five-step range. Appointments are usually made at the beginning step with advances occurring at six months and the completion of each year thereafter. Salary rates are reviewed annually.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INFO -
Click here for additional benefits information for Public Services Employees:
https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/25886/Benefits-Summary-Public-Service-Employee-PSE
THESE BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO EXTRA HELP POSITIONS
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
PHYSICAL STANDARDS -
Certain designated County positions require a candidate to pass a physical examination prior to appointment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.
FINGERPRINTING -
All employees hired into allocated positions or extra help positions will be fingerprinted.
SELECTION PROCESS -
FOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - The selection process will include an oral board interview, psychological assessment, background investigation, and a pre-employment physical exam.
See All 14 Public Defender Jobs in California
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Find Public Defender JobsPublic Defender Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Public Defender Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in public defender jobs across California.
- Active membership in the State Bar of California in good standing required
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school required
- Experience conducting jury or bench trials in California criminal courts preferred
- Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume felony or misdemeanor caseload
- Familiarity with California Penal Code, Evidence Code, and local court rules
- Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or another language common in the service area valued
Public Defender Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a public defender in California?
To become a public defender in California, you must earn a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, pass the California Bar Exam, and be admitted to the State Bar of California. Once licensed, you apply directly to county public defender offices or indigent defense organizations. Most offices require demonstrated criminal law coursework or a criminal law clinic, and many give strong preference to candidates who completed a judicial externship or law school clinic in a California court.
Which companies hire public defenders in California?
Employers hiring public defenders in California right now include County of Sonoma (CA), County of Napa, CA, and County of Los Angeles, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. California's size means county offices range from large institutional systems like Los Angeles County to smaller rural offices, alongside a growing number of nonprofit organizations focused on specialized indigent defense work.
Which California cities have the most public defender jobs?
Santa Rosa, Napa, and Los Angeles have the most public defender openings in California. Los Angeles dominates by volume given the sheer scale of its county court system, while San Francisco and San Diego each maintain well-staffed public defender offices that recruit regularly, and Sacramento generates demand as both a large county seat and the state's administrative center.
Are there remote public defender jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Public defense is an inherently courthouse-centered role requiring in-person client meetings, court appearances, and jail visits, which limits remote work significantly. About 0% of public defender openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions tend to involve appellate work, legal research, or policy roles rather than active trial representation.
How can I get hired as a public defender in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to a county public defender office's law clerk or post-bar law clerk program while awaiting bar results. Offices such as the Los Angeles County Public Defender and the Alameda County Public Defender run structured entry-level programs that train new attorneys under supervision. Completing a criminal defense clinic, a judicial externship in a California superior court, or a public interest fellowship also signals readiness. A California Bar license and demonstrated trial advocacy, even from a law school competition, gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to public defender jobs in California?
You can find and apply to public defender jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from county offices and indigent defense organizations across the state. Find roles that fit your experience level and county preference, then apply directly to the hiring office through each listing.
See All 14 Public Defender Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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