DEFENSE ATTORNEY I/II/III/IV
Salary
See Position Description
Location
Fresno County, CA
Job Type
At-Will
Job Number
26-0002
Department
Public Defender
Opening Date
03/30/2026
Position Description
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 Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV
The Fresno County Public Defenders Office invites applications for the position of Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV, including opportunities focusing on the intersection of criminal and immigration issues as an Immigration Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV (view flyer).
The Public Defenders Office is dedicated to the full and fair representation of all persons in the community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action. It is the goal of the Public Defenders Office to protect every clients constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment and disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no one who is innocent is ever wrongfully convicted. The Public Defenders Office provides all mandated legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while holding themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards.
SPECIALIZATION INCENTIVE
A Defense Attorney who completes certification through the California Bar as a Criminal Law Specialist shall receive $274 per pay period in addition to their normal pay.
PERFORMANCE ALLOWANCE - DEFENSE ATTORNEY II/III/IV/SENIOR
Defense Attorney II/III/IV/Seniors who are demonstrating exemplary performance in a "specialized" assignment may receive an allowance as detailed below as determined by the Public Defender:
Samples of Duties
Defense Attorney I:
Defense Attorney II:
Defense Attorney III:
Defense Attorney IV:
Minimum Qualifications
Defense Attorney I:
Membership in the State Bar of California.
License: Possession of a valid California Drivers License.
Defense Attorney II:
Membership in the State Bar of California.
Experience: One year of experience in professional legal work or full-time law clerk experience. The latter must be experience which is acceptable to the Public Defender.
License: Possession of a valid California Drivers License.
Defense Attorney III:
Membership in the State Bar of California.
Experience: Two years of experience in professional legal work, including one year with primary emphasis as a trial attorney in criminal law, or full-time law clerk experience. The latter must be experience which is acceptable to the Public Defender.
License: Possession of a valid California Drivers License.
Defense Attorney IV:
Membership in the State Bar of California.
Experience: Three years of professional legal work, including two years with primary emphasis as a trial attorney in criminal law, or full-time law clerk experience. The latter must be experience which is acceptable to the Public Defender.
License: Possession of a valid California Drivers License.
HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified applicants may submit a completed application and resume to:
Suzanne Galindo-Luna, Executive Assistant
PublicDefenderHR@fresnocountyca.gov
Public Defenders Office
2135 Fresno Street, Suite 100
Fresno, CA 93721
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR PDF VERSION OF FRESNO COUNTY APPLICATION
Apply immediately; application materials will be reviewed until positions are filled.
The Public Defenders Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. For additional information, please call (559) 600-1581.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:
A complete, accurate Fresno County employment application must be submitted and shall include:
All education and work experience to demonstrate the applicant meets the minimum qualifications.
A valid drivers license number.
A valid Bar Number that is active, in good standing, in the State Bar of California.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Please Note:
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:
Positions in this classification are in Medical Group I - Light Physical Activity (Personnel Rule 8). This group includes positions which require only light physical effort and may include lifting of small, light objects and some bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching. Considerable walking or standing may be involved.
The County of Fresno is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, examination, or selection process may contact Human Resources at (559) 600-1830 at least five days prior to the scheduled date or deadline.
Eligible candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The County of Fresno is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Fresno County to provide employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, or denial of medical family care leave, or any other non-job-related factor.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
REGULAR, PERMANENT POSITIONS BENEFITS PACKAGE:
Optional benefits include:
EXTRA-HELP POSITIONS:
Extra-help positions are temporary, not entitled to benefits and serve at the will of the department head.
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INFORMATION
Employer County of Fresno
Address 2220 Tulare St., 14th Floor
Fresno, California, 93721
Phone (559) 600-1830