Los Angeles County / Public Defender
Agency file
The Public Defender handles legal functions of government — prosecution, legal advice, and representing the state in court.
In 2025, this agency had 1,297 employees with median total compensation of $178,093; the highest distinct record was $714,318.
What the records show
These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.
How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 1,297 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($178,093) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.
What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.
The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $346,409 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $55,488. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).
The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.
Record list
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Student Professional Worker, Information Technician/Public Defender
Jasmynn Vaughan works as a Student Professional Worker, Information Technician for Public Defender. Jasmynn earned $25,332 in 2025.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Laura Anderson works as a Senior Law Clerk for Public Defender. Laura earned $25,175 in 2025.
Student Professional Worker II/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Mariah Garcia serves as a Student Professional Worker II. Their 2025 pay totaled $25,031.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Kristina Ruvalcaba holds the role of Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $24,431.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Mariam Bablanian is a Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $24,262.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Grabiela Franco is a Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $24,228.
Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender
Kevin Williams is a Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $23,620.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Patricia Benjamin works as a Deputy Public Defender III for Public Defender. Patricia earned $23,556 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Aria Dardashti is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $23,412.
Student Professional Worker I/Public Defender
Brianna Felix is a Student Professional Worker I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $21,170.
Student Professional Worker I/Public Defender
Yamira Romero Madrigal is a Student Professional Worker I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $21,163.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
Alejandra Gomez holds the role of Investigator Ii,Public Defender at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $20,680.
Psychiatric Social Worker I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Rachel Russell serves as a Psychiatric Social Worker I. Their 2025 pay totaled $20,245.
Psychiatric Social Worker I/Public Defender
Kimberly Avila holds the role of Psychiatric Social Worker I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $19,823.
Legal Office Support Assistant I/Public Defender
Anil Turk works as a Legal Office Support Assistant I for Public Defender. Anil earned $19,768 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender
Jean Burke works as a Deputy Public Defender II for Public Defender. Jean earned $19,574 in 2025.
Student Professional Worker, Information Technician/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Nicholas Finney serves as a Student Professional Worker, Information Technician. Their 2025 pay totaled $19,512.
Legal Office Support Assistant I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Mckim Jacobson serves as a Legal Office Support Assistant I. Their 2025 pay totaled $19,413.
Student Professional Worker I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Tonathiu Cabrera serves as a Student Professional Worker I. Their 2025 pay totaled $18,479.