California Criminal Defense Providers
Defense Provider Directory
Explore 45 public defender offices, federal defenders, and defense organizations across California — with caseload data, salary ranges, Glassdoor ratings, and hiring status.
45Organizations
7Regions
3,786+Attorneys
20Actively Hiring
Deputy Public Defender I$75k – $110k
Deputy Public Defender II$100k – $145k
Deputy Public Defender III$130k – $180k
Supervising Attorney$150k – $220k
Chief Deputy / Leadership$180k – $295k
Defense Investigator$55k – $95k
Mitigation Specialist$60k – $100k
Social Worker (Defense)$55k – $90k
Paralegal (Defense)$45k – $75k
Based on Glassdoor, Indeed, and county salary schedules for California defense providers (2026)
CalPERS or PERS Retirement (defined benefit pension)
PSLF-Eligible (Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
Paid CLE (Continuing Legal Education)
Generous PTO and sick leave
Union representation and protections
Immediate trial and courtroom experience
Student loan repayment assistance programs
Showing 45 of 45 organizations
Alameda County CAAP (Conflict Attorney Appointment Program)
Conflict PanelActively Hiring
Oakland, Alameda County
Bay Area
Staff
170+
Cases/Attorney
~50
→ Stable
PanelPrivateSolo
5 specializations
No rating
Mental Health CourtDrug CourtJuvenile
Custom
Alameda County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Oakland, Alameda County
Bay Area
Staff
180+
Cases/Attorney
~269
→ Stable
PDPanelSoloPrivate
4 specializations~400 jury trials/year
4.0
Drug CourtMental Health CourtReentry Court
SEIU Local 1021
LegalEdge
3 open roles
California Innocence Project
NonprofitLimited Openings
San Diego, San Diego County
San Diego
Staff
20+
Cases/Attorney
~5
High Risk — Budget: $4M
⏳ Too Early
NonprofitAppellate
4 specializations
4.5
Custom
1 open role
California State Public Defender
State Public DefenderLimited Openings
Sacramento, Statewide County
Sacramento
Staff
80+
Cases/Attorney
~5
→ Stable
AppellatePD
3 specializations
4.1
CASE
Custom
2 open roles
Contra Costa County CCP (Conflict Criminal Panel)
Conflict PanelActively Hiring
Martinez, Contra Costa County
Bay Area
Staff
90+
Cases/Attorney
~71
→ Stable
PanelPrivateSolo
5 specializations
No rating
Drug CourtMental Health Court
Custom
Contra Costa County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Martinez, Contra Costa County
Bay Area
Staff
90+
Cases/Attorney
~327
→ Stable
PDPanelSolo
3 specializations~250 jury trials/year
3.7
Drug CourtVeterans CourtMental Health Court
AFSCME
JusticeTrax
1 open role
El Dorado County Public Defender
County Public DefenderUnknown
Placerville, El Dorado County
Sacramento
Staff
22+
Cases/Attorney
~357
⏳ Too Early
PDPanel
3 specializations
No rating
Drug Court
Defender Data
1 open role
Federal CJA Panel (Northern District of California)
Conflict PanelLimited Openings
San Francisco, Federal — N.D. Cal County
Bay Area
Staff
125+
Cases/Attorney
~25
→ Stable
PanelPrivateSoloFederal
3 specializations
No rating
CM/ECF
Federal Defenders of San Diego Inc.
Federal Public DefenderLimited Openings
San Diego, Federal County
San Diego
Staff
80+
Cases/Attorney
~80
→ Stable
FederalAppellate
4 specializations
4.2
Defender Services Office
1 open role
Federal Public Defender — Central District of California
Federal Public DefenderLimited Openings
Los Angeles, Federal County
Los Angeles
Staff
120+
Cases/Attorney
~67
→ Stable
FederalAppellate
4 specializations
4.3
Defender Services Office
4 open roles
Federal Public Defender — Eastern District of California
Federal Public DefenderLimited Openings
Sacramento, Federal County
Sacramento
Staff
50+
Cases/Attorney
~67
→ Stable
FederalAppellate
4 specializations
4.0
Defender Services Office
1 open role
Federal Public Defender — Northern District of California
Federal Public DefenderLimited Openings
San Francisco, Federal County
Bay Area
Staff
65+
Cases/Attorney
~63
→ Stable
FederalAppellate
5 specializations
4.4
Defender Services Office
1 open role
Fresno County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Fresno, Fresno County
Central Valley
Staff
110+
Cases/Attorney
~462
High Risk — Budget: $28M
📉 Declining
PDSoloPanel
3 specializations~200 jury trials/year
3.4
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court
AFSCME
LegalEdge
4 open roles
Kern County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Bakersfield, Kern County
Central Valley
Staff
95+
Cases/Attorney
~483
High Risk — Budget: $22M
→ Stable
PDPanelSolo
4 specializations
3.3
Drug CourtMental Health Court
AFSCME
JusticeTrax
2 open roles
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles — Criminal Defense Unit
Legal AidLimited Openings
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Los Angeles
Staff
25+
Cases/Attorney
~167
High Risk — Budget: $5M
⏳ Too Early
NonprofitPD
4 specializations
4.0
Legal Server
Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender
Alternative DefenderActively Hiring
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Los Angeles
Staff
350+
Cases/Attorney
~227
→ Stable
PDPrivateSoloPanel
3 specializations~800 jury trials/year
3.9
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court
AFSCME Local 685
Legal Server
2 open roles
Los Angeles County ICDA (Indigent Criminal Defense Appointments)
Conflict PanelActively Hiring
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Los Angeles
Staff
310+
Cases/Attorney
~83
→ Stable
PanelPrivateSolo
5 specializations
No rating
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court
Legal Server
Los Angeles County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Los Angeles
Staff
1,100+
Cases/Attorney
~714
→ Stable
PDPrivateSoloPanelFederalAppellate
7 specializations~2,400 jury trials/year office-wide
3.8
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court+2
AFSCME Local 685
Legal Server
14 open roles
Marin County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
San Rafael, Marin County
Bay Area
Staff
30+
Cases/Attorney
~278
→ Stable
PDPanel
3 specializations
No rating
Drug Court
JusticeTrax
1 open role
Merced County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Merced, Merced County
Central Valley
Staff
30+
Cases/Attorney
~500
Critical — Budget: $6M
⏳ Too Early
PDPanelSolo
3 specializations
No rating
Drug Court
Defender Data
1 open role
Monterey County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Salinas, Monterey County
Central Coast
Staff
50+
Cases/Attorney
~400
→ Stable
PDPanel
5 specializations
No rating
Drug CourtVeterans Court
SEIU
LegalEdge
1 open role
Napa County Public Defender
County Public DefenderUnknown
Napa, Napa County
Bay Area
Staff
20+
Cases/Attorney
~333
⏳ Too Early
PDPanel
3 specializations
No rating
Drug Court
Defender Data
1 open role
Northern California Innocence Project
NonprofitLimited Openings
San Jose, Santa Clara County
Bay Area
Staff
15+
Cases/Attorney
~4
High Risk — Budget: $3M
⏳ Too Early
NonprofitAppellate
4 specializations
4.6
Custom
1 open role
Orange County Alternate Defender
Alternative DefenderLimited Openings
Santa Ana, Orange County
Los Angeles
Staff
50+
Cases/Attorney
~400
→ Stable
PDPanelPrivate
4 specializations
3.7
Drug Court
OCEA
Legal Server
Orange County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Santa Ana, Orange County
Los Angeles
Staff
250+
Cases/Attorney
~433
→ Stable
PDPrivateSolo
3 specializations~700 jury trials/year
3.6
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court+1
OCEA
Legal Server
3 open roles
Placer County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Auburn, Placer County
Sacramento
Staff
45+
Cases/Attorney
~357
→ Stable
PDPanel
3 specializations
No rating
Drug CourtVeterans Court
JusticeTrax
1 open role
Riverside County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Riverside, Riverside County
Inland Empire
Staff
180+
Cases/Attorney
~500
High Risk — Budget: $42M
→ Stable
PDPanelSoloPrivate
6 specializations
3.5
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court+1
AFSCME
Legal Server
4 open roles
Sacramento County Conflict Criminal Defense Panel
Conflict PanelActively Hiring
Sacramento, Sacramento County
Sacramento
Staff
95+
Cases/Attorney
~78
→ Stable
PanelPrivateSolo
4 specializations
No rating
Drug CourtVeterans Court
Legal Files
Sacramento County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Sacramento, Sacramento County
Sacramento
Staff
160+
Cases/Attorney
~400
High Risk — Budget: $45M
⏳ Too Early
PDPanelAppellatePrivate
3 specializations~500 jury trials/year
3.6
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court+1
AFSCME
LegalEdge
4 open roles
San Bernardino County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
San Bernardino, San Bernardino County
Inland Empire
Staff
170+
Cases/Attorney
~476
High Risk — Budget: $40M
→ Stable
PDPanelSoloPrivate
7 specializations
3.4
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court
AFSCME
LegalEdge
2 open roles
San Diego County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
San Diego, San Diego County
San Diego
Staff
320+
Cases/Attorney
~400
📈 Growing
PDPrivateSoloFederal
4 specializations~1,000 jury trials/year
3.7
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court+2
AFSCME
Legal Server
7 open roles
San Francisco IDA (Independent Defense Attorneys) Panel
Conflict PanelActively Hiring
San Francisco, San Francisco County
Bay Area
Staff
85+
Cases/Attorney
~50
→ Stable
PanelPrivateSolo
4 specializations
No rating
Drug CourtMental Health CourtCommunity Justice Center
Custom
San Francisco Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
San Francisco, San Francisco County
Bay Area
Staff
200+
Cases/Attorney
~208
→ Stable
PDPrivateNonprofitAppellate
6 specializations~600 jury trials/year
4.2
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court+2
SEIU Local 1021
Legal Server
7 open roles
San Joaquin County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Stockton, San Joaquin County
Central Valley
Staff
75+
Cases/Attorney
~489
High Risk — Budget: $18M
→ Stable
PDPanelSolo
4 specializations
3.4
Drug CourtMental Health Court
AFSCME
Defender Data
1 open role
San Luis Obispo County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County
Central Coast
Staff
30+
Cases/Attorney
~389
→ Stable
PDPanel
3 specializations
No rating
Drug Court
Defender Data
1 open role
San Mateo County Private Defender Program
Alternative DefenderLimited Openings
Redwood City, San Mateo County
Bay Area
Staff
40+
Cases/Attorney
~267
→ Stable
PanelPrivateSolo
3 specializations
No rating
Drug CourtMental Health Court
Defender Data
1 open role
Santa Barbara County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County
Central Coast
Staff
55+
Cases/Attorney
~375
→ Stable
PDPanel
4 specializations
3.8
Drug CourtMental Health Court
JusticeTrax
1 open role
Santa Clara County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
San Jose, Santa Clara County
Bay Area
Staff
250+
Cases/Attorney
~250
📈 Growing
PDPrivateNonprofit
4 specializations~350 jury trials/year
3.9
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court+1
SEIU Local 521
Legal Server
3 open roles
Santa Cruz County Public Defender
County Public DefenderUnknown
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County
Central Coast
Staff
30+
Cases/Attorney
~333
→ Stable
PDPanel
4 specializations
No rating
Drug CourtMental Health Court
SEIU
Defender Data
1 open role
Solano County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Fairfield, Solano County
Bay Area
Staff
50+
Cases/Attorney
~333
→ Stable
PDPanel
3 specializations
3.5
Drug CourtVeterans Court
AFSCME
Defender Data
1 open role
Sonoma County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Santa Rosa, Sonoma County
Bay Area
Staff
55+
Cases/Attorney
~375
→ Stable
PDPanel
5 specializations
3.6
Drug CourtMental Health CourtDUI Court
SEIU Local 1021
JusticeTrax
1 open role
Stanislaus County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Modesto, Stanislaus County
Central Valley
Staff
55+
Cases/Attorney
~469
High Risk — Budget: $14M
→ Stable
PDPanelSolo
3 specializations
3.3
Drug Court
AFSCME
Defender Data
1 open role
Tulare County Public Defender
County Public DefenderActively Hiring
Visalia, Tulare County
Central Valley
Staff
45+
Cases/Attorney
~500
Critical — Budget: $10M
⏳ Too Early
PDPanelSolo
3 specializations
No rating
Drug Court
Defender Data
1 open role
Ventura County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Ventura, Ventura County
Central Coast
Staff
75+
Cases/Attorney
~400
→ Stable
PDPanel
5 specializations
3.6
Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans Court
SEIU
JusticeTrax
1 open role
Yolo County Public Defender
County Public DefenderLimited Openings
Woodland, Yolo County
Sacramento
Staff
30+
Cases/Attorney
~389
→ Stable
PDPanel
3 specializations
No rating
Drug Court
Defender Data
1 open role
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