Criminal Law - Defense Attorney in San Bernardino, CA

Government

San Bernardino, CA

Criminal Law - Defense Attorney in San Bernardino, CA

Attorney

No

Job Title: Deputy Public Defender I

Job Responsibilities:
- Investigate, prepare for trial, and conduct trial defense of adults, including preparing trial strategy and jury instructions.
- Investigate, prepare for, and conduct defense of juveniles in jurisdictional and dispositional hearings.
- Appear with and for defendants at court hearings; make appropriate legal motions, pleas, and take other legal actions on behalf of clients.
- Conduct legal research and prepare legal briefs and opinions.
- Argue the merits of probation for defendants; prepare appeals, writs, and other legal correspondence.
- Negotiate with prosecuting authorities regarding the disposition or modification of charges.
- Order investigations and subpoenas; interview defendants and witnesses.
- Assist, advise, and train lower-level attorneys.
- Provide vacation and temporary relief as required.

Education and Experience Information:
- License: Active membership and in good standing with the State Bar of California is required.
- Note: Candidates who have passed the State or California Bar Exam and are pending licensure, or who have taken the State of California Bar Exam and are awaiting results, or who are registered for the next California State Bar Examination, will be considered. California State Bar Membership must be attained in order to be hired.
- Desired Qualifications: Ideal candidates will have performed community service and volunteered time working with indigent defendants and family members. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Salary Information:
- Hourly: -
- Biweekly: $3, - $3,
- Monthly: $7, - $8,
- Annually: $94, - $103,

Additional Information:
- Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number are received.
- The position offers planned step increases with a 3% annual across-the-board salary increase scheduled for February 2026, contingent upon assessed values for the previous fiscal year.
- Attorneys may have the opportunity to work a flexible 9/80 work schedule.
- Candidates assigned to the Victorville or Joshua Tree offices may be eligible to receive an additional incentive of $77 per pay period.
- Spanish-English bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply and may receive additional compensation for bilingual skills.
- Applicants must pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting, prior to appointment.
- Positions are eligible for promotion to Deputy Public Defender II, III, or IV upon meeting minimum requirements and receiving a satisfactory work performance evaluation. Deputy Public Defender IV positions may earn up to $201,531 annually.
- San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.
- There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on application materials.
- All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their email frequently for additional information regarding this recruitment.
- San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants.
- Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows who are not current County employees may be awarded additional Veterans’ Preference points.

This position provides an exciting learning opportunity for a challenging career in criminal defense work, representing indigent defendants and providing skilled legal counsel and courtroom advocacy at all critical phases of state-level criminal and civil commitment litigation.