Assistant Deputy Public Defender
New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJ)
·Jul 30, 2026
- Salary
- $80k – $171k/yr
- Location
- STATEWIDE, NJ, US
- Type
- Full-time
- Source
- GovernmentJobs
Description
Staff attorneys at NJOPD hold the title of Assistant Deputy Public Defender (ADPD), with classification levels (1, 2, 3) based largely on experience and supervisory responsibilities.
Assistant Deputy Public Defender 1 (ADPD1)
Salary: $79,843.57 - $117,227.97
Under the close supervision of a Deputy Public Defender, serves in a professional capacity as the civil or criminal attorney to indigent persons who are formally charged with an offense of an indictable nature or juvenile offense, or children who are abused/neglected, or commitments to mental institutions, or resolves disputes, or persons on intense supervision parole, or in need of guardianship, or who are alleged to have abused/neglected children, or are facing termination of their parental rights, or who are sexually violent predators, or who are subject to Megan's Law; performs bench trials and appeals arising from these offenses; work is closely-monitored and regular feedback is received; responsible for handling less complex cases; does other related duties as required
Assistant Deputy Public Defender 2 (ADPD2)
Salary: $100,498.48 - $148,186.78
Under the limited supervision of a Deputy Public Defender, serves in a professional capacity as the civil or criminal attorney for indigent persons who are formally charged with an offense of an indictable nature or juvenile offense, or children who are abused/neglected, or commitments to mental institutions, or resolves disputes, or persons on intense supervision parole, or in need of guardianship, or who are alleged to have abused/neglected children, or are facing termination of their parental rights, or who are sexually violent predators, or who are subject to Megans Law; performs bench trials and appeals arising from these offenses; exercises more independent judgment regarding decision making and is responsible for handling more complex cases; does other related duties as required.
Assistant Deputy Public Defender 3 (ADPD3)
Salary: $115,535.86 - $170,730.56
Under the general supervision of a Deputy Public Defender, functions as a lead worker, providing guidance to Assistant Deputy Public Defenders of lower levels and taking the lead on work-related matters; serves in a professional capacity as the civil or criminal attorney to indigent persons who are formally charged with an offense or an indictable nature or juvenile offense, or children who are abused/neglected, or commitments to mental institutions, or resolves disputes, or persons on intense supervision parole, or in need of guardianship, or who are alleged to have abused/neglected children, or are facing termination of their parental rights, or who are sexually violent predators, or who are subject to Megan's Law; exercises independent judgment regarding decision making and is responsible for handling the most complex and high-profile cases; does other related duties as required.Assistant Deputy Public Defender (ADPD1)
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.
Assistant Deputy Public Defender (ADPD2)
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.
Preferred minimum of Five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney of law.
Assistant Deputy Public Defender (ADPD3)
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.
Preferred minimum of Ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney of law.Appointees must be licensed as an Attorney-at-Law in the State of New Jersey.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.If you are applying under the NJ "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: [email protected], or call CSC at (833) 691-0404.
Note: Students in their final year of a J.D. program, recent law school graduates who have not yet been admitted to the New Jersey bar, and attorneys admitted in another jurisdiction may apply to this posting. Individuals pending New Jersey licensure must begin work under a different title (Law Clerk) and are promoted to ADPD once licensed in New Jersey.
Assistant Deputy Public Defender 1 (ADPD1)
Salary: $79,843.57 - $117,227.97
Under the close supervision of a Deputy Public Defender, serves in a professional capacity as the civil or criminal attorney to indigent persons who are formally charged with an offense of an indictable nature or juvenile offense, or children who are abused/neglected, or commitments to mental institutions, or resolves disputes, or persons on intense supervision parole, or in need of guardianship, or who are alleged to have abused/neglected children, or are facing termination of their parental rights, or who are sexually violent predators, or who are subject to Megan's Law; performs bench trials and appeals arising from these offenses; work is closely-monitored and regular feedback is received; responsible for handling less complex cases; does other related duties as required
Assistant Deputy Public Defender 2 (ADPD2)
Salary: $100,498.48 - $148,186.78
Under the limited supervision of a Deputy Public Defender, serves in a professional capacity as the civil or criminal attorney for indigent persons who are formally charged with an offense of an indictable nature or juvenile offense, or children who are abused/neglected, or commitments to mental institutions, or resolves disputes, or persons on intense supervision parole, or in need of guardianship, or who are alleged to have abused/neglected children, or are facing termination of their parental rights, or who are sexually violent predators, or who are subject to Megans Law; performs bench trials and appeals arising from these offenses; exercises more independent judgment regarding decision making and is responsible for handling more complex cases; does other related duties as required.
Assistant Deputy Public Defender 3 (ADPD3)
Salary: $115,535.86 - $170,730.56
Under the general supervision of a Deputy Public Defender, functions as a lead worker, providing guidance to Assistant Deputy Public Defenders of lower levels and taking the lead on work-related matters; serves in a professional capacity as the civil or criminal attorney to indigent persons who are formally charged with an offense or an indictable nature or juvenile offense, or children who are abused/neglected, or commitments to mental institutions, or resolves disputes, or persons on intense supervision parole, or in need of guardianship, or who are alleged to have abused/neglected children, or are facing termination of their parental rights, or who are sexually violent predators, or who are subject to Megan's Law; exercises independent judgment regarding decision making and is responsible for handling the most complex and high-profile cases; does other related duties as required.Assistant Deputy Public Defender (ADPD1)
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.
Assistant Deputy Public Defender (ADPD2)
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.
Preferred minimum of Five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney of law.
Assistant Deputy Public Defender (ADPD3)
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree.
Preferred minimum of Ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney of law.Appointees must be licensed as an Attorney-at-Law in the State of New Jersey.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.If you are applying under the NJ "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: [email protected], or call CSC at (833) 691-0404.
Note: Students in their final year of a J.D. program, recent law school graduates who have not yet been admitted to the New Jersey bar, and attorneys admitted in another jurisdiction may apply to this posting. Individuals pending New Jersey licensure must begin work under a different title (Law Clerk) and are promoted to ADPD once licensed in New Jersey.
