Florida / Justice Administrative Commission / Assistant Public Defender

Job-title file

Assistant Public Defender

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

1,332 employees hold this title in Justice Administrative Commission. Median total compensation for the role is $92,963, above the department median of $69,168.

Employees: 1,332
Total payroll: $128M
Role median: $92,963
Agency median: $69,168
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$23,342$150,168+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 1,332 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Assistant Public Defender pay vs. Florida

Across all employers in Florida, the median wage for Lawyers — about 55,210 people — is $133,180. Justice Administrative Commission pays a median base salary of $92,963 for this role, 30% below that figure — about the 21st percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Justice Administrative Commission sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$75,530

$99,720

$133,180

$196,100

$301,050

Justice Administrative Commission median · $92,963

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers across every employer in Florida, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Justice Administrative Commission’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Lawyers — about 754,500 people — is $159,670. Justice Administrative Commission’s median base salary is 42% below that national figure, about the 19th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Justice Administrative Commission median · $92,963

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the Florida range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 1,330 of 1,332 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Justice Administrative Commission is $92,963, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare jurisdictions

Assistant Public Defender beyond Florida

This role is reported in 2 jurisdictions. In Florida, the median of $92,963 ranks #1 of 2. See Assistant Public Defender across all of Florida →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Rhode Island

$36,211 · 20

Median total compensation for comparable Assistant Public Defenderroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 4

Frances Watson

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,283

Sub-department: 5Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $100,283
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,283
Hire date: 2013-11-04
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 012180

At Justice Administrative Commission, Frances Watson serves as a Assistant Public Defender within 5Th Judicial Circuit. They have served since 2013 (about 13 years), working salaried. Their 2026 pay totaled $100,283.

Azimabdul Ramelize

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,277

Sub-department: 17Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $100,277
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,277
Hire date: 2016-10-18
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 001086

Azimabdul Ramelize holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 17Th Judicial Circuit. Hired in 2016, they have about 10 years of service as a salaried employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $100,277.

Amanda Cotto

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,261

Sub-department: 10Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $100,261
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,261
Hire date: 2016-04-01
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 012335

At Justice Administrative Commission, Amanda Cotto serves as a Assistant Public Defender within 10Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2016, about 10 years, working salaried. Their 2026 pay totaled $100,261.

Steven Vargas

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,222

Sub-department: 17Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $100,222
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,222
Hire date: 2008-09-16
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 016135

At Justice Administrative Commission, Steven Vargas serves as a Assistant Public Defender within 17Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2008, about 18 years, working salaried. Their 2026 pay totaled $100,222.

Kimberly Segal

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,129

Sub-department: 17Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $100,129
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,129
Hire date: 2014-09-08
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 006943

Kimberly Segal holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 17Th Judicial Circuit. They have served since 2014 (about 12 years) as a salaried employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $100,129.

Devin Johnson

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,109

Sub-department: Public Defender Appellate
Base pay: $100,109
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,109
Hire date: 2016-03-07
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 071414

Devin Johnson holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within Public Defender Appellate. Hired in 2016, they have about 10 years of service as a salaried employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $100,109.

Lily Boehmer

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,048

Sub-department: 15Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $100,048
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,048
Hire date: 2021-08-16
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 006709

Lily Boehmer works as a Assistant Public Defender for Justice Administrative Commission within 15Th Judicial Circuit. They have served since 2021 (about 5 years) as a salaried employee. Lily earned $100,048 in 2026.

Tisha Deanne

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,000

Sub-department: 6Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $100,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,000
Hire date: 2018-08-13
Employment type: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 006071

Tisha Deanne works as a Assistant Public Defender for Justice Administrative Commission within 6Th Judicial Circuit. Hired in 2018, they have about 8 years of service as a salaried employee. Tisha earned $100,000 in 2026.

Natalie Gossett

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$100,000

Sub-department: Public Defender Appellate
Base pay: $100,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,000
Hire date: 2016-01-04
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 079775

At Justice Administrative Commission, Natalie Gossett serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Public Defender Appellate. They have served since 2016 (about 10 years), working salaried. Their 2026 pay totaled $100,000.

Adam Peters

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,935

Sub-department: 11Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,935
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,935
Hire date: 2021-08-02
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 006847

Adam Peters holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 11Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 5 years as a salaried employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $99,935.

Alejandra Preciado

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,935

Sub-department: 11Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,935
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,935
Hire date: 2021-11-08
Employment type: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 010302

Alejandra Preciado works as a Assistant Public Defender for Justice Administrative Commission within 11Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 5 years as a salaried employee. Alejandra earned $99,935 in 2026.

William Wasson

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,920

Sub-department: 9Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,920
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,920
Hire date: 2021-10-04
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 015956

William Wasson holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 9Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 5 years as a salaried employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $99,920.

Austin Lambert

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,875

Sub-department: 11Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,875
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,875
Hire date: 2021-08-02
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 011185

Austin Lambert holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 11Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 5 years as a salaried employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $99,875.

Brooke Pemberton

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,875

Sub-department: 11Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,875
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,875
Hire date: 2021-08-02
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 001118

At Justice Administrative Commission, Brooke Pemberton serves as a Assistant Public Defender within 11Th Judicial Circuit. They have served since 2021 (about 5 years), working salaried. Their 2026 pay totaled $99,875.

Natalie Temme

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,875

Sub-department: 11Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,875
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,875
Hire date: 2021-03-01
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 004311

Natalie Temme works as a Assistant Public Defender for Justice Administrative Commission within 11Th Judicial Circuit. Hired in 2021, they have about 5 years of service as a salaried employee. Natalie earned $99,875 in 2026.

Maris Kramer Brosnan

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,875

Sub-department: 11Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,875
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,875
Hire date: 2021-08-02
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 006872

Maris Kramer Brosnan is a Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 11Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 5 years, working salaried. 2026 total compensation came to $99,875.

Katherine Levien

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,875

Sub-department: 11Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,875
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,875
Hire date: 2021-09-08
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 008823

At Justice Administrative Commission, Katherine Levien serves as a Assistant Public Defender within 11Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 5 years, working salaried. Their 2026 pay totaled $99,875.

Amy J. Thornhill

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,860

Sub-department: 10Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,860
Hire date: 1995-09-05
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 009748

Amy J. Thornhill is a Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 10Th Judicial Circuit. Hired in 1995, they have about 31 years of service, working salaried. 2026 total compensation came to $99,860.

Joseph Hobson

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,802

Sub-department: 5Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,802
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,802
Hire date: 2024-01-02
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 010102

Joseph Hobson holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 5Th Judicial Circuit. They have served since 2024 (about 2 years) as a salaried employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $99,802.

Tara Wheat

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,718

Sub-department: Public Defender Appellate
Base pay: $99,718
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,718
Hire date: 2016-06-20
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 070877

Tara Wheat works as a Assistant Public Defender for Justice Administrative Commission within Public Defender Appellate. They have served since 2016 (about 10 years) as a salaried employee. Tara earned $99,718 in 2026.

Jeffrey Voelcker Jr

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,562

Sub-department: 9Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,562
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,562
Hire date: 2020-06-01
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 007559

Jeffrey Voelcker Jr is a Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 9Th Judicial Circuit. They have served since 2020 (about 6 years), working salaried. 2026 total compensation came to $99,562.

David Holton

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,547

Sub-department: 20Th Judicial Circuit
Base pay: $99,547
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,547
Hire date: 2022-09-28
Employment type: Salaried
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 014492

David Holton holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Justice Administrative Commission within 20Th Judicial Circuit. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 4 years as a salaried employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $99,547.

Barbara Busharis

Assistant Public Defender/Justice Administrative Commission

2026 total comp

$99,508

Sub-department: Public Defender Appellate
Base pay: $99,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,508
Hire date: 2006-12-05
Employment type: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 5901
Position Number: 077881

Barbara Busharis works as a Assistant Public Defender for Justice Administrative Commission within Public Defender Appellate. They have served since 2006 (about 20 years) as a salaried employee. Barbara earned $99,508 in 2026.