Sacramento County Public Defender
3.6
Glassdoor Rating
160+
Total Staff
100+
Attorneys
40,000+
Annual Caseload
4
Open Positions
About
Serves California's capital city and Sacramento County. Current Chief Public Defender is Amanda M. Benson (confirmed via CSAC Feb 2026 Challenge Award announcement). Faces budget pressures from the state capital region.
Strategic Career Intelligence
Trial Volume
~500 jury trials/year
Source: Sacramento County Public Defender estimate
Avg. Time to First Trial
3-6 months
Specializations
Career Pathways
Experience Value
State capital location provides unique proximity to policy-making. Strong appellate unit. Growing conflict panel creates transition opportunities for experienced PDs.
Specialty Courts
Holistic Defense Services
Open Positions(4)
View AllDeputy Public Defender I
Community Court Attorney
Mitigation Specialist
Managing Attorney
Salary Ranges
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $88,000-$105,000 |
| Mid-Career | $112,000-$138,000 |
| Senior | $142,000-$172,000 |
| Leadership | $180,000-$245,000 |
Budget & Funding Intelligence
Total Budget
$45M
Primary Sources
2025-06-18
Figures cited: ~$50M PD allocation, budget increase pending Board approval
Budget Trend
? Too Early to TellSacramento County is in the process of restructuring its indigent defense funding model in response to AB 625. Budget increase proposed but not yet adopted. The outcome of FY2026-27 budget cycle will be the key indicator. Too early to determine whether the trend is sustainable growth or a one-time correction.
Recent News
Sacramento County PD active continuous recruitment via Attorney - Criminal series (Levels I-V) with monthly filing cut-offs throughout 2026. Salary band per month: Level I $11,240; Level II $12,930; Level III $11,707-$14,228; Level IV $12,906-$16,471; Level V $14,238-$18,173. Level I requires CA Bar number issued. Hiring is restoring slowly after the 2024 SCAA strike (94% strike vote, eventual settlement).
Sacramento County PD received a 2025 California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Challenge Award (announced Feb 26, 2026) for the Juvenile Pre-Trial Program launched in 2023 — assesses youth for trauma, mental health needs, and underlying factors before trial. CSAC release refers to 'Chief Public Defender Benson' — confirms Amanda M. Benson as current Chief PD, resolving the prior dataset reference to former chief Steven Garrett. Reinforces Sacramento PD's positioning as a national-recognition holistic-defense office at a moment when state-capital proximity and the SCAA bargaining cycle make leadership identification material for recruiting candidates.
Quick Info
- County
- Sacramento
- Region
- Sacramento
- Case Management
- LegalEdge
- Caseload/Attorney
- ~400
- Phone
- (916) 874-5611
- Website
- Visit
Union Representation
AFSCME
Unionized workplace
Benefits
- SCERS Pension
- Health/Dental/Vision
- PSLF Eligible
- Paid CLE
- Union Membership
Funding Sources
- Sacramento County General Fund
- AB 625 State Allocation
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