ATTORNEY I - PUBLIC DEFENDER

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

ATTORNEY I-IV

PUBLIC DEFENDER

Salary: $9,772 - 21,372 Monthly

Final Filing Date: Friday, November 20, 2026

To apply, go directly to: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces

individuals of every status, providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.

Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access,

fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

COURAGEOUS. COMPASSIONATE. CLIENT-CENTERED.

Join a team of defenders committed to reimagining public defense.

At the Santa Cruz County Public Defender’s Office, we believe that exceptional

defense means more than protecting our clients’ rights in the courtroom. It means

listening to their stories, honoring their humanity, amplifying their voices, and

standing beside them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Our mission is to courageously defend the accused, demand equal justice for all, and

empower our clients through inspired advocacy in the courtroom and community.

We are building a model public defense agency that pairs zealous courtroom

advocacy with holistic, client-centered representation. Our attorneys work alongside

investigators, social workers, client advocates, paralegals, and support staff to

provide an interdisciplinary defense that addresses both the criminal charges our

clients face and the broader consequences of involvement in the criminal legal

system.

We are looking for attorneys who are passionate about defending people,

challenging injustice, and making a meaningful difference in their clients’ lives.

Whether you are a new attorney eager to develop your courtroom skills or an

experienced defender ready to take on serious and complex cases, our office offers

opportunities to grow as a litigator and advocate. Attorneys handle a wide range of

criminal matters, develop creative defense strategies, litigate motions, and try cases

while working alongside colleagues who share a deep commitment to public

defense.

Led by Public Defender Heather Rogers, our office values collaboration, professional

growth, and mutual support. We recognize that excellent representation requires

investing in our defenders, providing meaningful opportunities for mentorship and

development, and creating a workplace where attorneys can do challenging,

important work as part of a supportive team.

We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Santa Cruz County and are

committed to advancing racial and social justice, confronting systemic inequities,

and ensuring that the quality of a person’s defense is never determined by their

ability to pay.

If you believe in the power of public defense to change lives, we hope you’ll join us.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
• A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be: Attorney I: Graduation from law school.
• Incumbents are required to be members of the California State Bar, but need no experience practicing law and will work under the direction of a more experienced attorney.

Attorney II

One year of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*

Attorney III: Two years of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*

Attorney IV: Three years of experience as an attorney practicing criminal law.*

• Experience in the practice of civil law may be substituted for criminal law for positions

assigned to applicable divisions.

Special Requirements

Membership in the California State Bar is required for all levels.

NOTE

For Attorney I, law school graduates who have taken the California Bar Exam and

not yet received their results, may participate in a recruitment/examination process.

Names of candidates who pass the County examination will be placed "inactive" on the

eligible list until the County receives written confirmation of their passing the California

State Bar Exam.

To see full job specification, including knowledge and abilities, please click below:

https://www.jobapscloud.com/SCRUZ/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=JG1

THE VALUES THAT GUIDE OUR WORK

We seek attorneys who share our commitment to courageous,

compassionate, and client-centered representation. Successful defenders in

our office bring:

A Commitment to Indigent Defense: A deep belief that the constitutional

right to counsel means more than the appointment of an attorney—it

means exceptional legal representation, respect for the dignity of every

client, and a commitment to challenging injustice and systemic inequities.

Zealous and Creative Advocacy

The ability and determination to

investigate cases thoroughly, challenge the prosecution’s evidence,

litigate contested issues, and pursue the best possible outcomes for

clients.

Client-Centered Representation

A commitment to building trusting

attorney-client relationships, listening without judgment, respecting client

autonomy, and ensuring clients have a meaningful voice in decisions

affecting their lives.

THE VALUES THAT GUIDE OUR WORK (CONTINUED)

Commitment to Holistic Defense and Collaboration: A willingness to work

collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, investigators,

social workers, client advocates, and other professionals to provide

comprehensive, client-centered representation that addresses both our

clients’ legal needs and the broader challenges affecting their lives.

Strong Litigation Skills and Sound Judgment

The ability to analyze

complex legal and factual issues, develop persuasive defense strategies,

and advocate effectively in negotiations, motions practice, and trials.

Cultural Humility and Awareness

An understanding of how poverty,

racism, trauma, disability, and other systemic barriers affect our clients,

together with a commitment to culturally responsive advocacy.

Resilience, Initiative, and Growth

The ability to manage challenging

caseloads, take ownership of cases, seek feedback, support colleagues,

and continually develop as a defender.