PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER

PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER -

Date: Aug 21, 2026

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Requisition No:

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

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

Pay Plan: Pub.DefndrsJAC

Position Number:

Salary: $68,000.00 - $72,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 02/19/2027

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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 $72,000 with generous State of Florida benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Email resume directly to Shanna Wilson 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 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 ( ). 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 , F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Location:

OCALA, FL, US, 34475

Nearest Major Market:Ocala