DEFENSE ATTORNEY I/II/III/IV

Annual Salaries Defense Attorney I: $78,260 - $99,892 Annually Defense Attorney II: $91,338 - $116,584 Annually Defense Attorney III: $109,590 - $139,854 Annually Defense Attorney IV: $128,258 - $163,722 Annually Scheduled Salary Increase Effective 6/22/26 – 2% increase for all Defense Attorney levels. Specialization Incentive Defense Attorneys that become Certified Criminal Law Specialists receive $274 per pay period in addition to normal pay. Performance Allowance – Defense Attorney II/III/IV/Senior Death Penalty Unit – $400.00 per pay period Major Crimes Unit (Homicide & Sexual Assault) – $300.00 per pay period Domestic Violence and Felony Unit – $150.00 per pay period Defense Attorney I Responsibilities Receives orientation to the operations, processes, and procedures of the Public Defender's Office. Performs legal research and investigation in the preparation of cases for court. Prepares briefs. May present a full range of misdemeanor cases in court upon assignment. Performs other work as required. Defense Attorney II Responsibilities Acts as defense counsel in criminal cases of average difficulty. Interviews and advises defendants and witnesses. Studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs. Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings. Defense Attorney III Responsibilities Acts as defense counsel in major criminal cases. Interviews and advises clients and witnesses. Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs. Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings. May occasionally assign, review, and coordinate the professional legal work of lower-level attorneys. Defense Attorney IV Responsibilities Acts as defense counsel in complex and sensitive criminal cases. Interviews and advises clients and witnesses. Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs. Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings. Assigns, reviews, and coordinates the professional legal work of lower-level attorneys. Does advanced legal research under only policy guidance. Defense Attorney I Qualifications Membership in the State Bar of California. Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Defense Attorney II Qualifications Membership in the State Bar of California. One year of experience in professional legal work or full-time law clerk experience acceptable to the Public Defender. Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Defense Attorney III Qualifications Membership in the State Bar of California. Two years of experience in professional legal work, including one year as a trial attorney in criminal law or full-time law clerk experience acceptable to the Public Defender. Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Defense Attorney IV Qualifications Membership in the State Bar of California. Three years of professional legal work, including two years as a trial attorney in criminal law or full-time law clerk experience acceptable to the Public Defender. Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Reasonable Accommodations Positions are in Medical Group I – Light Physical Activity. Candidates must be able to perform essential functions with or without accommodation. The County of Fresno provides reasonable accommodations as required by the ADA and FEHA. Qualified individuals may contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io at least five days prior to the application deadline. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer The County of Fresno is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, or other non‑job-related factor. #J-18808-Ljbffr