DEPUTY ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER I

Job Description

Position/Program Information

LAW OFFICES OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

EXAM NUMBER

7-9254B

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

We welcome applications from everyone!

WHEN TO APPLY:

Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, November 16, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) and ending by Wednesday, November 18, 2026 5:00 p.m. (PT). Applications received after 5:00 p.m. (PT) will not be accepted.

Why work for us?
With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities.
The County has more than 2,100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the county with a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

For more information about our amazing benefits, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/

Who we are
The Los Angeles County Office of the Alternate Public Defender is a premiere indigent criminal defense firm of approximately 300 attorneys and staff in over 20 offices throughout the county! Today, the Alternate Public Defender’s Office is the second-largest public defender’s office in the state. We provide the highest quality legal defense for the most vulnerable members of our society and specialize in trying the most serious cases, including the death penalty and homicide cases. We pride ourselves in providing an environment that values teamwork, a sense of family, and diversity.

Who we are looking for
We are seeking highly motivated individuals who share our passion for fighting against injustice and defending the accused. As such, you must be self-motivated, outgoing, passionate, and maintain the highest ethical standards.

Essential Job Functions

• Interviews persons seeking legal counsel in criminal matters, determining eligibility, accepting cases and preparing necessary legal documents, and rejecting cases outside the jurisdiction of the Alternate Public Defender.
• Represents the defense in preliminary hearings, interviewing clients and possible defense witnesses, advising clients of the appropriate course of action to be taken in their defense, cross-examining prosecution witnesses, and entering motions for dismissal and bail.
• Represents the defense in the trial of misdemeanor cases.
• Confers with law enforcement and investigation personnel, deputy district attorneys, prosecution witnesses, and other interested parties regarding cases.
• Prepares legal documents such as briefs, complaints and pleadings.
• Prepares and tries the less difficult misdemeanor criminal cases.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:
Admission to practice law in all courts in California.

• You must submit proof* of meeting the California State Bar requirements:
  
  • A copy of your current/valid California State Bar Card -OR-
    
  • A copy of the official letter from the California State Bar stating that you have satisfied ALL the requirements for admission to practice law in the State of California at the time of filing. All correspondence must be on the California State Bar letterhead. We will not accept any other form/letter of result notification (e.g., printout from the internet).

LAW GRADUATES WITH PROVISIONAL LICENSES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS EXAMINATION.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
* To receive credit for meeting the California State Bar requirements, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your current/valid California State Bar card and/or letter from the California State Bar. If you are unable to attach, please email your documents to gtung@hr.lacounty.gov within seven (7) calendar days from the end of the filing period.

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching them to your application or sending them to the exam analyst.

WITHHOLD INFORMATION :

No withholds will be allowed for this examination. Requirements must be fully met and indicated on the application by the last day of filing.

LICENSE :

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS :
2 - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Additional Information

OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS :
This examination will consist of a Structured Interview weighted at 100%, measuring:

• Professional/Technical Knowledge (General Criminal Case & Statutory Law and Constitutional Principles of California Rules of Professional Conduct as they pertain to Criminal Defense),
• Critical Thinking,
• Decision Making Skills,
• Client Focus,
• Influencing,
• Negotiation Skills,
• Oral Communication Skills,
• Listening Skills,
• Fact Finding,
• Relationship Building Skills,
• Ethics & Integrity, and
• Cultural & Individual Sensitivity.

You must meet the requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher to be placed on the eligible list.
ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION :
Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a list for a period of twelve (12) months. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Law Offices of the Alternate Public Defender as they occur.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION :
We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.

Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information on your application and/or any attachment(s) WILL result in refusal of application, rescission of appointment, or restriction of application to future recruitments.

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

• gtung@hr.lacounty.gov
• info@governmentjobs.com
• talentcentral@shl.com
• noreply@proctoru.com

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at anytime by logging in to govermentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

SOCIAL SECUITY NUMBER
Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

COMPUTERAND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES
For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, we provide access to complete an application at public libraries throughout the county.

NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD
All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's login information may erase a candidate's original application record.

It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence. Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a testcomponent.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI) :
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The County of Los Angeles is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

TESTING ACCOMMODATION :
If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Exam Number: 7-9254B
Testing Accommodations Coordinator: TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
Department Contact Name: George Tung
Department Contact Phone: ( 213) 441-1968
Department Contact Email: gtung @hr.lacounty.gov

For detailed information, please click here

Closing Date/Time: 11/18/2026 5:00 PM Pacific