Salary : $86,656.00 - $176,231.00 Annually
Location : 971 Jason Lopez Circle Bldg G Florence AZ 85132, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Office of Public Defense Services
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 10/9/2026 5:00 PM Arizona

DESCRIPTION
Indigent Defense in Pinal County is expanding with the opening of the Legal Defender! The addition of the Legal Defender's Office, to complement the work of the Public Defender and provide focused representation, has created the need for multiple attorney positions across Pinal County indigent defense.
The Pinal County Public Defender and Legal Defender Offices are small law offices offering attorneys the opportunity to pursue excellence in legal practice areas including felony defense, misdemeanor defense, treatment court representation, juvenile delinquency, dependency, and civil mental health proceedings. Attorneys are appointed by the court to provide high quality legal representation to indigent clients and prepare cases for defense in all phases of court proceedings. Attorneys assess, prepare, negotiate, and litigate cases, represent individual clients in courtrooms, hearings, and negotiations, and learn the department guidelines and standards to effectively manage case files under basic supervision.

This posting will serve to recruit for various indigent defense practice areas by office:
Public Defender:

• Adult Felony
• Early Disposition Court
• Probation Restoration Court
• Treatment Courts
• Justice Courts
• Appeals/Post Conviction Relief

Legal Defender:

• Juvenile Delinquency
• Juvenile Dependency
• Civil Mental Health, Title 36 COE/COT
• Appeals/Post Conviction Relief.

In addition to these amazing opportunities, check out the incredible benefits available to Pinal County employees as well!

• An Employer that Values Each Employee and Prioritizes a Work Experience that Provides Ample Time for Stress Reduction and Work-Life Balance.
• Paid Vacation And Sick Leave
  • 15 Vacation Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
    • After Three (3) Years of Service, 18 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
    • After Five (5) Years of Service, 20 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
  • 13 Sick Leave Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
• Ten Paid Holidays + One Paid Floating Holiday to Use as You Wish
• Paid Sabbaticals Every Five (5) Years
  • Two-Week Sabbatical After Five Years of Continuous Service
  • Three-Week Sabbatical After Ten Years of Continuous Service
  • Four-Week Sabbatical After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
  • Four-Week Sabbaticals Every Five Years After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
• Retirement Plans with Generous Employer Contributions - Guaranteed Lifetime Benefit!
• Variety of Top Tier Affordable Medical Plans - Six Different Medical Plans to Choose From
  • Some Medical Plans with Zero Employee Premium Cost
• Dental and Vision Plans
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
  • Quarterly Wellness Challenges
  • Vision Exams and Optometry Events Onsite
  • Vaccination Clinics
  • Onsite Mammogram and Prostate Screening Events
  • Skin Cancer Screening Events Onsite
  • Biometrics and Health Screening Events Onsite
  • Financial Health and Retirement Planning Events Onsite & Online
  • Fitness Resources and Onsite Sessions Like Yoga and Tai Chi
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Telehealth
• Qualified Employer - Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - Department of Education
• Employee Assistance Program with Ongoing Training & Development Options
• Civil Service Leave
• Van Pool Options
• Short-Term Disability - Employer Paid
• Basic Life Insurance - Employer Paid
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care and Medical Expenses
• Suite of Voluntary Benefits including additional Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Cancer Insurance

Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU.

Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job.
Before you apply, watch this video to learn helpful tips for completing an application at Pinal County:

Application Tips
This position is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not a covered position under the Pinal County Merit System Rules. Incumbents in this position serve at the pleasure of their respective Appointing Authority. The employment relationship is "at-will" and employment may be terminated at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide high quality legal representation to indigent clients in the defense and resolution of cases.
• Assist in the defense of cases, review legal documents, and compiles and analyze case facts.
• Defend most classes of felony cases, all classes of misdemeanor cases, low-level to mid-level felony cases, civil mental health cases, juvenile delinquency cases and complex criminal cases.
• Review evidence, interview witnesses, prepare pre-trial legal memoranda, select juries, prepare and present opening and closing statements, examine and cross examine witnesses, make and meet legal objections, and request legal instructions.
• Evaluate charges as filed and instruct investigators as to additional information needed to defend cases, evaluate the information, and determine the appropriate disposition of the case.
• Conduct research and provide consultation involving complex and difficult legal issues.
• Apply legal principles to determinations on individual cases and problems.
• Confer with and offer advice and counsel to clients.
• Represent the clients at arraignments, hearings and trials, identify and subpoena witnesses, records, and other information required to defend the case, compile and present evidence, and argue facts of the case in relation to points of law, case law, and legal precedent, and interview and cross-examine witnesses.
• Manage assigned legal cases, confer with participants, negotiate agreements, and litigate and resolve cases.
• Evaluate case files and research missing and incomplete information and documents, manage collection and analysis of evidence, research files and computer databases, and update files and records.
• Review case status with supervisor and create, process, and file memoranda and legal documents.
• Cross-train in a wide variety of criminal and juvenile defense areas.
• Maintain the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• To promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client information, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK
ATTORNEY I - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Juris Doctorate degree or Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited, ABA approved law school.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Arizona residents must have a valid Arizona Driver's License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who achieved a score of 260-269 on the Uniform Bar Exam administered after July 1, 2023, and who meet the eligibility criteria of the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program.
  See ALAP.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have been admitted to practice law in another state or territory of the United States who qualify under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39, or who meet the eligibility criteria of the Government Law Admission Program For Lawyers From Non-Reciprocal States. See AO 2025-25.

Preferred Qualifications:

Public Sector or Criminal Defense Attorney experience is preferred.
ATTORNEY II - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Two (2) years' experience in practicing law.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Arizona residents must have a valid Arizona Driver's License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who achieved a score of 260-269 on the Uniform Bar Exam
  administered after July 1, 2023, and who meet the eligibility criteria of the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program.
  See ALAP.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have been admitted to practice law in another state or territory of the United States who qualify under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39, or who meet the eligibility criteria of the Government Law Admission Program For Lawyers From Non-Reciprocal States. See AO 2025-25.

Preferred Qualifications:

Public Sector or Criminal Defense Attorney experience is preferred.
ATTORNEY III - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Five (5) years' experience in practicing law.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Arizona residents must have a valid Arizona Driver's License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have passed the Arizona bar examination, or are transferring UBE scores, and are awaiting admission to the bar, but such candidates cannot be hired until admitted, unless otherwise permitted to practice in Arizona under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 provisions Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who achieved a score of 260-269 on the Uniform Bar Exam administered after July 1, 2023, and who meet the eligibility criteria of the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program.
  See ALAP.
• Applications will be accepted from candidates who have been admitted to practice law in another state or territory of the United States who qualify under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39, or who meet the eligibility criteria of the Government Law Admission Program For Lawyers From Non-Reciprocal States. See AO 2025-25.

Preferred Qualifications:

Public Sector or Criminal Defense Attorney experience is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Public Defender policies, procedures, organization, and operations.
• Knowledge of state of Arizona criminal and civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of operations, functions, procedures, rules, and policies of Pinal County Courts and Arizona Superior Court.
• Knowledge of procedures and protocols for trial court, arraignment, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
• Knowledge of principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information and records for use in court and negotiations.
• Knowledge of the duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a Public Defender including rules of professional conduct and standards for ethical behavior.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, techniques, sources, and databases.
• Knowledge of legal case management procedures, ethics, and techniques.
• Knowledge of principles of record keeping, case files, and records management.
• Knowledge of the principles of criminal and/or juvenile law, rules of evidence, motion practice and rules of court.
• Skill in interpreting and explaining legal standards and procedures, applicable Federal and state rules and regulations, and Public Defender policies and procedures.
• Skill in reviewing legal documents, extracting relevant information, evaluating legal issues and legal system variables, and negotiating agreements.
• Skill in defending and litigating cases in a legal hearing and courtroom setting.
• Skill in researching and identifying precedence in case law.
• Ability to operate a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in decision making.
• Ability to handle a large volume of work.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with clients, co- workers, attorneys, representatives of law enforcement agencies, courts, employees of other departments, the public, and other participants in the justice system.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is light and requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. The work also requires the ability to finger, reach, perform repetitive motion, lift, hear, speak, stand, walk, operate motor vehicles and demonstrate mental and visual acuity.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an environment where errors can lead to significant physical or mental consequences.

The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the midpoint require additional approval.
NOTICE TO APPL