What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Public Defender position at Tulare County, CA?
Salary : $102,530.00 - $145,677.00 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : 25-005042
Department : Public Defender
Opening Date : 01 / 16 / 2025
Closing Date : 2 / 6 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific
ABOUT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE :
The Public Defender's Office has a supportive, team-oriented environment with a strong commitment to provide quality legal defense services and achieve just results for clients. The Office has a compliment of 92 staff, with a team of 45 Attorneys. The main office is located in the city of Visalia, within the County Courthouse. A satellite office is housed at the Juvenile Detention Facility complex near Visalia and is close to the Juvenile Court also located at that facility and a second satellite office located in Porterville approximately four miles from the Tulare County Superior Courthouse in Porterville.
Applicants may be granted advanced step appointments based upon experience. The County provides a benefit package including health insurance, vacation, sick benefits, 1937 Act Retirement plan, life insurance and reimbursement for California Bar Dues. A Benefit allowance may be applied toward health insurance premiums.
Typical Duties
CAREER OPPORTUNITY :
This recruitment will be used to fill immediate openings and may be used for future vacancies. Under direction, performs professional legal work in the defense of indigent clients. Responsibilities include preparing and assisting in criminal defense cases; preparing pleadings, briefs, points and authorities; conducting legal research; examining and evaluating evidence; and representing clients in the Superior Courts.
Minimum Qualifications
EXPERIENCE :
Active membership in the State Bar of California is required. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license is required. Newly hired Attorneys will serve At-Will and hold noncompetitive status. To be considered above the Level I, applicants must have courtroom experience and related work experience in defending felony cases.
- Deputy Public Defender : Entry level. No experience required.
SELECTION PROCESS :
Applicants must submit a County application including a supplemental application form. You may apply online at : www.tularecounty.ca.gov / hrd.
Additional Information
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.
COLLEGE COST REDUCTION ACCESS ACT
This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit : http : / / studentaid.ed.gov / repay-loans / forgiveness-cancellation.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Bargaining Unit 8
The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.
Benefit Amount : An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision and life). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).
Health Insurance : A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP) .
Retirement : The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.
Paid Holiday Leave : 12 set days and 1 personal holiday .
Vacation Accrual :
3 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
4 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
5 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
6 weeks per year (11 years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.
Administrative Leave : 40 hours of vacation is credited on July 1 of each year.
Sick Leave Accrual : 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 60 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.
Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D : $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company .
Disability Insurance : Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.
Deferred Compensation : A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.
Bar Dues : The County will pay 100% of California Bar Dues per calendar year.
To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at
The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.
Are you willing to work overtime and travel locally or out of town in behalf of clients when necessary?
Describe your experience, if any, in practically applying laws relating to evidence, crimes and criminal procedure in misdemeanor and / or felony prosecutions. Specifically relate the nature and extent of your experience in misdemeanor and / or felony defense, including the numbers and types of cases.
Describe your experience, if any, in the litigation of pre-trial motions applicable to criminal cases. If you have no actual experience in criminal / pre-trial litigation, describe other law and motion experience you possess.
Describe your skills in the effective interviewing, counseling, and interrogation of cooperative and hostile witnesses or clients. Indicate those interviewees that you have found most difficult to work with and your techniques in resolving the obstacles such people raise.
The following questions apply to applicants for the Attorney IV level. Describe your experience in the litigation of felony trials or complex civil litigations. Indicate your role in, as well as the types and numbers of such cases.
Describe any training seminars or special courses you have attended which have enhanced your skills as a criminal trial attorney. Indicate the approximate date(s) of attendance and the program sponsor.
Describe the various types of cases, if any, you have personally litigated at the appellate level. Indicate the extent of your participation, both in terms of brief preparation and oral argument.
Required Question
Salary : $102,530 - $145,677
