The Pinal County Public Defender provides legal defense services to indigent adults and juveniles facing criminal charges and/or mental health commitments when appointed by the Pinal County Superior Court or a Justice Court within Pinal County. Our goal is to provide superior legal representation, safeguard fundamental individual rights, and ensure equal access to the protections afforded by the United States Constitution, the Arizona Constitution, and the laws of Arizona.
Pinal County is located in central Arizona between Phoenix and Tucson. Florence, Arizona is the county seat and the home of the Pinal County Public Defender and the Pinal County Superior Court. In the fall of 2023, the Pinal County Public Defender will move into a new state-of-the-art office space within the Pinal County justice complex. Attorneys will be able to walk to court and to visit most in-custody clients.
Under Public Defender Kate Milewski, the Pinal County Public Defender Office is growing and improving all facets of client representation. The office is recruiting attorneys of all experience levels to come join a collaborative and supporting team. Attorneys can expect to gain experience in a variety of contexts, including early resolution of criminal cases, specialty court staffing, and probation violation hearings before taking on felony trial work, juvenile delinquency cases, and/or mental health commitment cases.
Pinal County is known for its recreational outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding and spectacular sunsets. Compensation is offered at the most competitive rates for any indigent defense firm in Arizona. Attorney's are compensated according to the following 3-tier system:
ATTORNEY I - Pay Grade 14 - $76,958 - $107,072
This is the trainee level classification in the Attorney series. Incumbents perform entry level legal work under close supervision
• Juris Doctorate degree or Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited, ABA approved law school.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
Public Sector or Criminal Defense Attorney experience is preferred.
ATTORNEY II - Pay Grade 17 - $88,128 - $131,166
This is the journey level classification in the Attorney series. Incumbents perform intermediate level legal work under general supervision.
• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Two (2) years’ experience in practicing law.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
Public Sector or Criminal Defense Attorney experience is preferred.
ATTORNEY III - Pay Grade 20 - $107,174 - $167,537
This is the senior level classification in the Attorney series. Perform legal work of greater complexity and difficulty, working under minimal supervision, exercising discretion, and independent judgment.
• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Five (5) years’ experience in practicing law.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required 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.
If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Heade at Kevin.Heade@Pinal.gov
