Santa Cruz County Public Defender
30+
Total Staff
18+
Attorneys
6,000+
Annual Caseload
1
Open Positions
About
Serves Santa Cruz County's coastal and mountain communities.
Strategic Career Intelligence
Specializations
Career Pathways
Experience Value
Small coastal office with low budget vulnerability. UC Santa Cruz proximity creates an academically engaged legal community. Progressive jurisdiction with strong mental health court.
Specialty Courts
Holistic Defense Services
Open Positions(1)
View AllDeputy Public Defender
Salary Ranges
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $92,000-$108,000 |
| Mid-Career | $112,000-$140,000 |
| Senior | $145,000-$175,000 |
| Leadership | $182,000-$240,000 |
Budget & Funding Intelligence
Total Budget
$8M
Sources are being compiled. This assessment is based on publicly available county budget documents.
Budget Trend
= StableRecent News
Chief Public Defender Heather Rogers publicly endorsed ACR 159 (passed unanimously by the Assembly), warning that 'without sufficient resources, the right to counsel is at risk of becoming more promise than practice.' Adds Santa Cruz to the statewide chief-PD advocacy coalition (alongside LA, SF, Santa Clara, and Yolo/CPDA) pressing the FY2026-27 budget for the CPDA $15M/yr post-bar attorney ask. Single-source (Davis Vanguard); also identifies the office's current chief, which the provider record previously lacked.
Quick Info
- County
- Santa Cruz
- Region
- Central Coast
- Case Management
- Defender Data
- Caseload/Attorney
- ~333
- Phone
- (831) 454-2590
- Website
- Visit
Union Representation
SEIU
Unionized workplace
Benefits
- CalPERS Retirement
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
- PSLF-Eligible
- Paid CLE
- Generous PTO
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