Description

The Public Defender’s Office has openings for motivated Public Defenders to join our amazing, passionate, and collaborative team. We are looking to fill several positions so candidates can be highly experienced or just starting out.  We are looking for two attorneys for Early Disposition Court, one attorney for Misdemeanors, and one attorney for Felonies based in the Camp Verde office.  Salary ranges from $83,052.43 (entry level) to $149,000.47 (highly experienced); if First Chair qualified there is a 10% special assessment added to your salary. Benefits are competitive.  The ideal candidate will share our mission and values.

Here in the larger organization of Yavapai County Government, we live each day by our core values of Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration, and Innovation. We do what we do because we care for our community and because people matter. 

The County Public Defender’s Office has developed its own department mission and core values. We at the PDO strive to ensure access to justice for all people. We live our why by being diligent, fearless, and principled in our pursuit of justice. We show up well-prepared and are committed to our why. We are bold, creative, and accessible every day. We are honest, authentic, and trustworthy in our actions.

The Yavapai County Public Defender’s Office is a collegial, paperless office where all employees have the option to work remotely from their homes in a hybrid arrangement or in the office full-time. We stress work-life balance and manage our caseloads to ensure it. We would love to talk to you about our office and your interests.

What roles are we looking to fill at this time: 

We are specifically looking for two experienced attorneys to join our Early Disposition Court (EDC) team and attend court on Tuesdays in Prescott and Thursdays in Camp Verde.  Currently, this assignment does not keep cases for trial and simply handles the matters while they are in EDC. 

We are also specifically looking for an experienced attorney to Join our Camp Verde office felony trial group.

Finally, we are looking for a new attorney to begin with our office and join our Misdemeanor unit.   Typically, new attorneys are in Misdemeanors for 2 years before we begin to move them up into felonies.  This ensures that they are prepared and feel comfortable advancing. 

Major Duties, Responsibilities

Major Duties:

• Reviews relevant facts and creates a defense strategy.   
• Confers with relevant county departments and outside agencies.   
• Confers with and advises clients.   
• Appears at court hearings.   
• Represents clients at trial.  

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

Graduation from an accredited law school and admission to the State Bar of Arizona.

Other Skills

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing; ability to analyze and organize factual information; ability to make persuasive legal arguments; ability to work in a team environment.