Class Title:	DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER I
Class Code:	78551
Salary:	$30.93 - $39.37 Hourly $2,474.26 - $3,149.63 Biweekly $5,360.91 - $6,824.20 Monthly $64,330.86 - $81,890.43 Annually

Description  Benefits
Under general supervision, to perform limited professional legal work as defense counsel in criminal and civil cases; to gain legal experience and proficiency; and to do other work as required. This is the entry level class in the Deputy Public Defender series. Incumbents are employed in the Office of the Public Defender and are considered deputies to the Public Defender. Incumbents are given supervision and guidance by higher level attorneys on initial assignments through formal and informal work review. Promotion to the next higher level of Deputy Public Defender II is based upon demonstrated ability and completion of the experience requirement.
Examples Of Essential Duties:
• Interviews applicants for public defense and determines financial eligibility; advises and counsels defendants on legal rights and procedures. • Investigates, researches, and prepares cases for the defense; presents and defends cases in the Justice, Municipal, and Superior Courts. • Analyzes legal issues for pending cases; prepares trial briefs and checks questions of law; argues points of law and makes final arguments of summations. • Negotiates with the prosecuting authorities regarding the disposition or modification of charges in specific cases; does legal research in the specific area of criminal law; prepares correspondence and reports. • Reviews progress and development of cases with supervisory deputies.
Recruiting Guidelines:
Knowledge of: Legal principles and their application; rules of evidence and the conduct of court proceedings; the laws of California. Ability to: Analyze legal problems and apply legal principles and practices; present arguments and statements of fact and law clearly and logically in written and oral form; perform legal research; work cooperatively with others.
Other Requirements:
License/Certificate: Active membership in the State Bar of California. Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required for some positions in this class.
Pre-Employment:
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).
Probationary Period:
As an Approved Local Merit System, the County of Riverside requires all new regular or seasonal employees to serve an initial probationary period, the duration of which is indicated in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.