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San Joaquin County Public Defender

Stockton, San Joaquin County · Central Valley
County Public DefenderActively HiringAFSCMEHigh Risk

3.4

Glassdoor Rating

75+

Total Staff

45+

Attorneys

22,000+

Annual Caseload

1

Open Positions

About

Serves Stockton and San Joaquin County. Faces critical caseload challenges.

Strategic Career Intelligence

Specializations

Felony DefenseMisdemeanor DefenseJuvenile DefenseMental Health Court

Career Pathways

Public Defender TrackConflict PanelSolo Practice

Experience Value

Extremely high caseloads mean new attorneys get courtroom time immediately. Actively hiring with strong demand creates quick advancement opportunities. Affordable Central Valley living.

Specialty Courts

Drug CourtMental Health Court

Holistic Defense Services

Investigators

Open Positions(1)

View All

Deputy Public Defender

Stockton
$80k$95k
misdemeanorfelony0-2 yearsBilingual Preferred
Apply

Salary Ranges

LevelSalary Range
Entry Level$80,000-$95,000
Mid-Career$100,000-$125,000
Senior$130,000-$160,000
Leadership$168,000-$220,000

Budget & Funding Intelligence

Total Budget

$18M

High Risk

Primary Sources

San Joaquin County FY2025-26 Adopted Budget — Public Defender

2025-01-01

Figures cited: $18M total PD budget

Budget Trend

= Stable

Budget flat while caseloads are among the highest in the state. Critical need for attorneys keeps hiring active despite limited budget growth.

Quick Info

County
San Joaquin
Region
Central Valley
Case Management
Defender Data
Caseload/Attorney
~489
Website
Visit

Union Representation

AFSCME

Unionized workplace

Benefits

  • CalPERS Retirement
  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • PSLF-Eligible
  • Paid CLE
  • Generous PTO

Funding Sources

  • San Joaquin County General Fund
  • State Subvention (AB 2302)
  • Federal grants

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