Criminal Defense Attorney

Salary : $65,416.00 - $153,566.40 Annually
Location : Carlsbad, NM
Job Type: Career Appointment, Full-Time
Job Number: 10114907
Unit: 5th District-Eddy-Carlsbad
Division: 5th District-Eddy-Carlsbad
Opening Date: 09/22/2026
Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 PM Mountain


Objectives Summary
The objective summary for this job classification is to provide professional legal services for the Law Offices of the Public Defender in representing juvenile and adult indigent clients in areas of litigation, appeal, counsel, research and analysis.
Pay information:

***This position qualifies for an additional hourly pay differential of $5.30 hourly / $11,024.00 annually.

Hourly pay differential reflects geographical and retention pay incentives, as applicable to the position advertised.***
For more information about living in Carlsbad,


Our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood.

Essential Functions
Criminal Defense Attorney PD2, PD3 or PD4:
Incumbent will be considered for a Public Defender 2, 3, or 4 classification. Classification will be determined at the time of hire based on applicant's job related qualifications and agency critical need.


Public Defender 2 (PD2) :

• Attorneys at this level will handle a variety of misdemeanors and may assist in juvenile cases and youthful offender cases.
• May assist higher level attorneys with complex cases.
• Work is performed under the direction, guidance and supervision from more experienced colleagues and supervisor/manager.
• Will conduct plea bargaining when appropriate with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.

Public Defender 3 (PD3)

• Attorneys at this level should be able to represent clients in all misdemeanors or juvenile cases and low to medium level felonies with limited supervision.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to lower levels attorneys and law clerks.
• Works under the direction and guidance provided by higher level Attorneys and/or Managing Attorney.
• Will conduct plea bargaining when appropriate with District Attorneys and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.

Public Defender 4 (PD4)

• Positions at this level handle felony cases such as burglaries, drug crimes, property crimes and probation violations with limited supervision.
• May handle more complex level felonies with some guidance/direction from a higher level attorney/managing attorney.
• Has acquired sufficient knowledge and/or experience to handle an appellate caseload.
• Has knowledge and experience to prepare appellate briefs and argue cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court with some direction from higher level Attorneys.
• Provides guidance and advice to lower level attorneys.
• Works independently and is able to recognize and resolve complex issues related to the caseload.
• Will attend seminars, training classes and review current professional literature to maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge.
• Drafts/reviews, proposes and prepares reports and legal documents.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: An employee with this classification may be required to perform at a PD4, PD3, PD2 level or duties of a lower classification without additional compensation. Employee will be required to show competence in all levels PD2 through PD4.
Minimum Qualifications
PD2: Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court.

PD3: Current licensure as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and one (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.

PD4: Current license as an attorney issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court or eligible for limited license issued by New Mexico Supreme Court and four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
Collective Bargaining: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Exempt: (including Managers/Supervisors, Executive, Administrative, Professional Exempt Status) : In accordance with DOL FLSA and LOPD NMAC and LOPD's Compensation Agreement that is signed upon hire during onboarding, classifications identified as Exempt may be compensated for all authorized hours worked over 80 hours in a pay period. These classifications are eligible for compensatory time (paid time off accrued) at an even (1:1) rate if they request to work extra hours in advance and get approval from their supervisor. These classifications are not eligible for cash payments for extra hours worked. Compensatory time may be paid-out upon leaving the department depending on budget availability.


The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.
The State's General Services Department Risk Management Division, Employee Benefits Bureau (EBB), is responsible for the procurement and oversight of employee benefits - including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance. The State's Group Benefits Plan also offers COBRA, Flexible Spending Account Programs, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Erisa Administrative Services, Inc. (Erisa) is the State's Third Party Administrator. They provide benefits administration to all plan participants, and offer knowledgeable staff to answer your questions. To learn more about the benefits available please


In addition to the benefits listed above, the Law Offices of The Public Defender offers a retirement plan and a medical program for retirees. For more information regarding the plan you can visit the following websites:
Total Compensation Package


As an employee of the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD), you receive regular pay for your services. The other part of your total compensation is the value of the benefits LOPD makes available to you and, if applicable, your family. The Total Compensation Estimator is for illustrative purposes only and provides benefits-eligible employees an estimate of their total compensation based on selected options from the drop-downs in the estimator.

• Please to download the Total Compensation Estimator on our , Join Our Team section.

This estimator is not a legal document. All benefits are governed by the actual benefit plans, which have precedence over the information reported in this calculator. Rates are not guaranteed and may change annually based on legislative decisions. If you have any questions about this estimator, don't hesitate to get in touch with Human Resources at
*State and Federal Laws - Rights of Employees*
Employers are required by state and federal law to post certain information concerning the rights of employees. The required posters are listed below and may be printed individually using a standard printer and paper.

• - PDF file
• Human Trafficking - () () ()
• Paid Sick Leave - () () () () - PDF
• Immigrant and Employee Rights Section Right to Work - ()

New Mexico state minimum wage is $12.00 per hour effective January 1, 2023. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. More information can be read at

• Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law - ),
• Job Safety and Health Protection - (,
• Employee Polygraph Protection Act - ,
• Family Medical Leave Act - ,
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act - ,
• Employee Rights under USERRA - ,

Please contact for questions.
01


CDA Q:1Which of the following do you possess:

• Current licensure as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico
• Current license in good standing from another state and eligible to apply for Public Employee Limited License pursuant to Rule 15-304 NMRA.
• None of the above

02


CDA Q:2How many total years of experience as a practicing attorney do you have documented in the Work Experience section of your application?PLEASE NOTE: If the years of experience that you indicate below cannot be found in the Work Experience section of this application, your application may not be eligible for further consideration. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your work experience at this time. If you are attempting to attach documents, but are unable to, you should email View email address on click.appcast.io. with the documents and your contact information. Or, if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview.

• 15+ years of experience
• 14 years of experience
• 13 years of experience
• 12 years of experience
• 11 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 1 year of experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• None

03


CDA Q:3
Please provide licensure details below for all states in which you are licensed or have been licensed to practice law including license number, location issued, expiration date and status.PLEASE NOTE: if this information is not provided, your application may not be recognized as being qualified for this position. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your licensure details (as requested above) at this time. If you are attempting to attach the documents to support the details of your licensure, but are unable to, you should email View email address on click.appcast.io with the attachments and your contact information. Or, if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview.
04


CDA Q:4
How many total years of experience in Criminal Litigation experience do you have documented in the Work Experience section of your application?PLEASE NOTE: If the years of experience that you indicate below cannot be found in the Work Experience section of this application, your application may not be eligible for further consideration. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your work experience at this time. If you are attempting to attach documents, but are unable to, you should email View email address on click.appcast.io. with the documents and your contact information. Or, if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview.

• 15+ years of experience
• 14 years of experience
• 13 years of experience
• 12 years of experience
• 11 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 1 year of experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• None

05


CDA Q:5
Do you have trial experience as a public defender?

• Yes
• No

06


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
07


CDA Q:7How many felony level trials have you completed?

• Zero (0)
• One (1)
• Two to Four (2-4)
• Five to Ten (5-10)
• Eleven (11) or more

08


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
09


CDA Q:9
Do you have experience working with marginalized populations such as indigent individuals, immigrants, and those living in homelessness or with mental health and/or substance abuse issues?

• Yes
• No

10


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
11


CDA Q:11Do you have experience preparing and arguing motions?

• Yes
• No

12


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
13


CDA Q:13 For current State of New Mexico employees: I understand that the Law Offices of the Public Defender will only accept up to 40 hours of annual leave and all sick leave. Furthermore, upon transfer, I will begin a new probationary period regardless of a break in service from my current state agency.

• I Understand

14


CDA Q:14
I understand that my response to the question regarding years of experience as a practicing attorney will be confirmed. I have included my related work experience in the Work Experience Section of my application with a detailed description of my related duties. If I am attempting to attach documents, but unable to, I should email View email address on click.appcast.io. with the documents and my contact information. Or if selected for an interview, I may bring the documents to my interview.

• I Understand

15


Please choose the level that best describes your fluency in any language(s) other than English. I understand that I may be asked to certify my language proficiency upon hire and that I may be required to provide translation services if selected for this job.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• Not Familiar

16


If you chose Beginner or above in the previous question, please identify in the text box what language(s) you are fluent in. Note: If you selected Not Familiar in the previous question please write, N/A in the text box below.
Required Question