Assistant Public Defender

Requisition No: 876108

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21009353

Pay Plan: Pub.DefndrsJAC PIB

Position Number: 21009353

Salary: $68,000.00 - $72,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 11/15/2026

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Michael A. Graves, 5th Circuit Public Defender , overseeing a five county circuit, is seeking an entry level attorney for our Marion County office located in Ocala.

Salary range is from $68,000 to $70,000 with generous State of Florida benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Email resume directly to Shanna Wilson at ***email_hidden*** or through the People First Electronic system.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Providing effective and professional representation of individuals charged with misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses;
• Zealously advocating for each client through critical analysis of cases, motion practice, and jury trials;
• Preparing each case efficiently and effectively utilizing office and community resources;
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients;
• Advising and counseling clients in order to achieve the best result possible in their case; establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with clients and the legal community;
• Utilizing innovative, holistic defense strategies to achieve the best outcome for clients.

Qualifications

• Licensed member of the Florida Bar, in good standing;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Professional demeanor and a desire for excellence in the practice of law;
• Dedication to serving clients and providing the best possible legal representation to our clients.

Benefits

• State Group Insurance coverage options including health (premiums as low as $8.34 a month), $25,000 life policy (at no charge), dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and various other supplemental insurance options;
• Enrollment in the Florida Retirement System (2 plan options Pension or Investment);
• Monthly accrual of annual and sick leave hours;
• Approximately 13 paid holidays, based on our Circuit’s Judicial Holiday calendar.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.