County Public Defender

Position Overview

Del Norte County is establishing its first Public Defender position, a board-appointed role tasked with leading and expanding the county's program for indigent defense. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of legal representation, improve coordination, and strengthen oversight of services provided to eligible clients through a managed assigned counsel system, which continues to utilize contracted private attorneys.

This is a unique opportunity for a skilled attorney to exercise professional judgment, leadership, and innovative strategies within a rural county setting. The ideal candidate will be a pragmatic and cooperative leader with a deep understanding of both the legal and operational aspects of indigent defense. They should be motivated to build upon the current system to elevate public defense services.

We encourage experienced practitioners interested in contributing their expertise to the ongoing development of the county's indigent defense program to apply.