Santa Clara County Public Defender
3.9
Glassdoor Rating
250+
Total Staff
180+
Attorneys
45,000+
Annual Caseload
3
Open Positions
About
One of the largest public defender offices in the Bay Area, serving Silicon Valley and surrounding communities.
Strategic Career Intelligence
Trial Volume
~350 jury trials/year
Source: Santa Clara County Public Defender estimate
Avg. Time to First Trial
4-6 months
Specializations
Career Pathways
Experience Value
Highest salaries in the state for PDs. Tech-savvy office with advanced discovery tools. Strong reputation attracts top talent — working alongside excellent colleagues accelerates professional development.
Specialty Courts
Holistic Defense Services
Open Positions(3)
View AllSalary Ranges
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $108,000-$128,000 |
| Mid-Career | $135,000-$165,000 |
| Senior | $170,000-$205,000 |
| Leadership | $215,000-$295,000 |
Budget & Funding Intelligence
Total Budget
$72M
Primary Sources
Budget Trend
+ GrowingSilicon Valley tax base supports above-average PD funding. County has committed to reducing caseloads below NAC standards by 2027. Growing trend reflects both political will and fiscal capacity. One of the highest-paid PD offices in the state.
Quick Info
- County
- Santa Clara
- Region
- Bay Area
- Case Management
- Legal Server
- Caseload/Attorney
- ~250
- Phone
- (408) 299-7700
- Website
- Visit
Union Representation
SEIU Local 521
Unionized workplace
Benefits
- SCERA Pension
- Health/Dental/Vision
- PSLF Eligible
- Paid CLE
- Transit Benefits
Funding Sources
- Santa Clara County General Fund
- State Trial Court Trust Fund
Find Your Role Here
Take a quick career screener to see how well you match with Santa Clara County Public Defender and get personalized role suggestions.
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Whether you're an attorney looking for your next role, building your defense career, or an office with positions to fill — we're here to connect you.