Los Angeles County Public Defender
3.8
Glassdoor Rating
1,100+
Total Staff
700+
Attorneys
500,000+
Annual Caseload
14
Open Positions
About
The largest public defender office in the world. Handles over 500,000 cases annually across 40+ branch offices throughout Los Angeles County.
Strategic Career Intelligence
Trial Volume
~2,400 jury trials/year office-wide
Source: LA County Public Defender Annual Report 2024
Avg. Time to First Trial
2-4 months (misdemeanor assignment)
Specializations
Career Pathways
Experience Value
Largest PD office in the world — unmatched trial volume and case diversity. DPD I attorneys typically handle 30-50 trials in their first 2 years. Alumni are highly sought after by private firms and federal defender offices.
Specialty Courts
Holistic Defense Services
Open Positions(14)
View AllDeputy Public Defender I
Deputy Public Defender II
Deputy Public Defender III
Mitigation Specialist
Defense Investigator
Juvenile Defense Attorney
Mental Health Court Attorney
Paralegal (Defense)
Appellate Attorney
Sentencing Advocate
Client Advocate / Peer Navigator
Training Attorney
Prop 36 / Resentencing Attorney
Competency Restoration Attorney
Salary Ranges
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $95,000-$110,000 |
| Mid-Career | $120,000-$145,000 |
| Senior | $150,000-$180,000 |
| Leadership | $190,000-$260,000 |
Budget & Funding Intelligence
Total Budget
$330M
Primary Sources
2025-06-25
Figures cited: $330M total PD budget, 2.8% increase from FY2024-25
Budget Trend
= StableBudget received modest 2.8% increase but caseload growth of ~5% means per-case funding is effectively declining. County's AAA bond rating provides stability, but PD caseloads exceed NAC standards by 3-4x. Medium vulnerability reflects structural underfunding despite nominal increases.
Recent News
Newsom's May 14 May Revise contained no dedicated trial-level PD funding answering the May 5 Capitol-rally $15M/yr × 3-year CPDA ask. Garcia's pre-Revise quoted statement: 'Public defenders protect one of the most fundamental constitutional rights. But recognition must be matched with investment.' Coalition's $45M post-bar attorney ask now moves to June budget conference; Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 (Public Safety) May Revise hearings expected late May. ACR 159 ordered to Senate third reading May 13 — bicameral unanimous adoption likely week of May 18 will be the political lever for restoring funds in conference.
LA County Public Defender Ricardo Garcia stood with 17 other CA chief public defenders, Asm. Ash Kalra, Asm. Sade Elhawary, and Asm. Nick Schultz at the State Capitol on May 5, 2026 to demand $15M/year for three years ($45M total) for post-bar attorney positions in county PD offices. Assembly unanimously passed ACR 159 affirming the constitutional importance of indigent defense. First visible Garcia statewide policy advocacy in the recent caseload-crisis arc; strengthens position of LA County PD in FY26-27 budget conversations after May 21 May Revise.
LA County PD is accepting applications for Deputy Public Defender I, including from applicants pending California State Bar exam results. Standing recruitment to backfill ongoing attrition. Salary band $95-$110K entry. 40+ branch offices; immediate misdemeanor trial assignment within 2-4 months.
Quick Info
- County
- Los Angeles
- Region
- Los Angeles
- Case Management
- Legal Server
- Caseload/Attorney
- ~714
- Phone
- (213) 974-2811
- Website
- Visit
Union Representation
AFSCME Local 685
Unionized workplace
Benefits
- CalPERS Retirement (2% @ 62)
- Health/Dental/Vision (LA County plan)
- PSLF Eligible
- Paid CLE (40 hrs/yr)
- AFSCME Union Membership
- Deferred Compensation (457b)
- 11 Paid Holidays
- Generous Sick/Vacation Leave
Labor History
2024-08-20
Staff attorneys filed workload grievance citing NAC caseload violations
Funding Sources
- Los Angeles County General Fund
- State Trial Court Trust Fund
- AB 625 State Allocation
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