Deputy Public Defender I/II/III - Murrieta

The County of Riverside's Law Offices of the Public Defender is seeking to fill a vacancy in their Murrieta office at the Deputy Public Defender I, II, and III levels (level entry is based on years of experience).

The incumbents will perform professional legal work in the misdemeanor unit and do other work as required.

Experience working in a law office is preferred.

Candidates who are post-bar and awaiting their results are encouraged to apply.

The Deputy Public Defender I position is the entry-level class in the Deputy Public Defender series and is subject to the rotation of assignments according to business needs.

Incumbents are given supervision and guidance by higher level attorneys on initial assignments through formal and informal work reviews.

The Deputy Public Defender II is the second level class in the Deputy Public Defender series and is subject to the rotation of assignments according to business needs.

Positions in this class are distinguished from positions in the lower class of Deputy Public Defender I by assignments that require more specific legal experience and are performed with less supervision and review.

The Deputy Public Defender III is the journey level in the Deputy Public Defender series and is subject to the rotation of assignments according to business needs.

Positions in this class are distinguished from positions in the lower level Deputy Public Defender II classification by assignments that require demonstrated ability to effectively perform the complete range of legal work in the fields of civil and criminal defense.

Incumbents are employed in the Office of the Public Defender and are considered deputies to the Public Defender.

The level at which the candidate will fill is at the department's discretion.

Meet the Team!

It is the mission of the Law Offices of the Public Defender to provide the highest quality legal representation to any person unable to afford it for criminal, juvenile, or certain civil proceedings.

The Public Defender strives to preserve human dignity in all cases where citizens' liberties are at stake.

The Public Defender is dedicated to the principle that no citizen shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without competent, professional, and vigorous representation so that due process is implemented fairly, equitably, and without prejudice.

The Public Defender is headquartered in Riverside, with additional offices providing support to residents in Banning, Blythe, Murrieta, and Indio.

Who may apply?

This recruitment is open to all applicants.

Deputy Public Defender I

• Interviews applicants for public defense and determines financial eligibility; advises and counsels defendants on legal rights and procedures.

• Investigates, researches, and prepares cases for the defense; presents and defends cases in the Justice, Municipal, and Superior Courts.

• Analyzes legal issues for pending cases; prepares trial briefs and checks questions of law; argues points of law and mak...