San Diego County Public Defender
3.7
Glassdoor Rating
320+
Total Staff
200+
Attorneys
80,000+
Annual Caseload
9
Open Positions
About
Second-largest public defender office in California. Serves diverse border communities with specialized immigration defense capabilities.
Strategic Career Intelligence
Trial Volume
~1,000 jury trials/year
Source: San Diego County Public Defender Office estimate
Avg. Time to First Trial
2-4 months
Specializations
Career Pathways
Experience Value
Border proximity creates unique immigration-defense intersection experience. High trial volume and strong mentorship program. Military base proximity generates veterans court expertise not available elsewhere.
Specialty Courts
Holistic Defense Services
Open Positions(9)
View AllDeputy Public Defender I
Deputy Public Defender III
Homeless Court Attorney
Veterans Court Attorney
Immigration Defense Specialist
Tribal Court Liaison Attorney
Paralegal — Immigration Unit
Deputy Public Defender I — Pre-Bar Eligible
Deputy Public Defender II — Promotional
Salary Ranges
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $90,000-$108,000 |
| Mid-Career | $115,000-$142,000 |
| Senior | $148,000-$178,000 |
| Leadership | $185,000-$255,000 |
Budget & Funding Intelligence
Total Budget
$85M
Primary Sources
2025-06-15
Figures cited: ~$95M PD budget, 3.2% increase
Budget Trend
+ GrowingSan Diego County has been increasing PD funding above inflation for 3 consecutive years in response to AB 625 caseload standards. Growing trend signals strong county commitment to indigent defense. One of the better-funded offices per capita in Southern California.
Recent News
The County's $9.1B FY2026-27 Recommended Budget (released May 18, 2026; +6% YoY) allocates $4.82M and 18 new full-time Public Defender positions specifically for Proposition 36 caseload growth to meet 'timely, constitutionally required legal representation.' Board of Supervisors adoption is set for June 23, 2026. A contra-trend expansion — the only major-office in the set adding line attorneys this cycle — reinforcing San Diego's 'growing' budget trend. Corroborated by Times of San Diego and KPBS.
San Diego County PD conducted PD Investigator interviews the week of May 4, 2026, with job offers scheduled for the week of May 25. Investigator series recruitment closed March 28. Contra-trend bright spot — most CA counties are constrained by budget pressure, but San Diego is actively expanding investigator capacity at a moment when CalMatters has highlighted statewide investigator shortages as a key driver of wrongful convictions (May 13 investigation).
Internal promotional posting for Deputy Public Defender II (Job #26391105PPD) at $123,219.20-$142,646.40 annual. Open May 11 to current SD County DPD I (min. 6 months) or equivalent path. Deadline May 21, 2026. Indicates active internal-promotion pipeline at SD County PD even as other CA counties face hiring freezes.
Deputy Public Defender I postings confirm a planned June 2026 base-pay increase of 7.38% (3.0% across-the-board + 4.38% market adjustment). Among the largest single-cycle COLAs reported by California county PDs in 2026. Lifts SD's competitive position vs. neighbors and Federal Defender Southern District. Recruitment open to applicants pending CA Bar exam results.
Quick Info
- County
- San Diego
- Region
- San Diego
- Case Management
- Legal Server
- Caseload/Attorney
- ~400
- Phone
- (619) 338-4700
- Website
- Visit
Union Representation
AFSCME
Unionized workplace
Benefits
- SDCERA Pension
- Health/Dental/Vision
- PSLF Eligible
- Paid CLE
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Confirmed 7.38% Base Pay Raise June 2026 (3% ATB + 4.38% Market)
Funding Sources
- San Diego County General Fund
- State Trial Court Trust Fund
- AB 625 Allocation
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