Minnesota / Public Defense Board

Agency file

Public Defense Board

Source file: Minnesota — State Employee Payroll / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Public Defense Board is a government agency that delivers public services and programs within its jurisdiction.

In 2025, this agency had 1,087 employees with median total compensation of $99,952; the highest distinct record was $322,368.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $110.1M
Employees: 1,087
Median total: $99,952
Highest record: $322,368

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$110$187,632+

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

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 1,087 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($99,952) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $100,213 (99%)
Overtime — $12 (0%)
Other — $1,040 (1%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

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.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$28,353

$77,459

$99,952

$129,210

$161,688

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $161,688 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $28,353. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Public Defense Assistant Attorney

597 · $110,528

Legal Office Assistant

104 · $72,426

Public Defense Law Clerk

97 · $4,405

Public Defense Managing Attrny

69 · $173,033

Public Defense Investigator

63 · $92,976

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.

Trend

Year over year

How this department's total payroll, headcount, and median pay changed across the 2 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2024	$97.2M —	1,069 —	$89,412 —
2025	$110.1M ▲ 13.3%	1,087 ▲ 1.7%	$99,952 ▲ 11.8%

Record list

Employees

Page 15

Stanley Leino

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$78,152

Sub-department: Fifth Judicial District 3
Base pay: $75,517
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,635
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,152
Hire date: 2019-03-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Blue Earth

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 300
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Stanley Leino is a Public Defense Assistant Attorney at Public Defense Board within Fifth Judicial District 3. Their tenure dates to 2019, about 6 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $78,152. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Tara Olson

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2024 total comp

$77,782

Sub-department: Third District FT
Base pay: $77,782
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,782
Hire date: 2016-08-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Tara Olson is a Public Defense Investigator at Public Defense Board within Third District Ft. They have served since 2016 (about 8 years), working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $77,782. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Penny Wickenheiser

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Seventh District Detroit Lakes
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2024-05-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Stearns

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Defense Board, Penny Wickenheiser serves as a Public Defense Investigator within Seventh District Detroit Lakes. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $77,459. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Support Staff.

Emily Zagorski

Public Defense Paralegal/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: J52D044 - Mgmt 2
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-04-06
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 4
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Emily Zagorski works as a Public Defense Paralegal for Public Defense Board within J52D044 - Management 2. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years) as a full-time employee. Emily earned $77,459 in 2025. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Support Staff.

Caleb Munce

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Second District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-03-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Caleb Munce works as a Public Defense Investigator for Public Defense Board within Second District. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years) as a full-time employee. Caleb earned $77,459 in 2025. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.

Timothy Schulz

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Third Judical District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-03-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Defense Board, Timothy Schulz serves as a Public Defense Investigator within Third Judical District. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $77,459. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.

Emily Vangrinsven

Public Defense Paralegal/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: First Judicial District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2015-08-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 4
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Emily Vangrinsven holds the role of Public Defense Paralegal at Public Defense Board within First Judicial District. Their tenure dates to 2015, about 10 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $77,459. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.

Katelyn Jardine

Public Defense Paralegal/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Sixth Judicial District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-02-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 4
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Defense Board, Katelyn Jardine serves as a Public Defense Paralegal within Sixth Judicial District. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $77,459. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Support Staff.

Kristin Robertson

Public Defense Paralegal/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Third Judical District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2005-06-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 4
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kristin Robertson works as a Public Defense Paralegal for Public Defense Board within Third Judical District. Their tenure dates to 2005, about 20 years as a full-time employee. Kristin earned $77,459 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Kimberly Kowalski

Public Defense Paralegal/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: J52D044 - Mgmt 2
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-06-06
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 4
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kimberly Kowalski holds the role of Public Defense Paralegal at Public Defense Board within J52D044 - Management 2. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $77,459. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.

Owen Knezel

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: J52D048 - Mgmt 3
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-06-06
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Owen Knezel holds the role of Public Defense Investigator at Public Defense Board within J52D048 - Management 3. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $77,459. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Matthew Kolar

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: J52D048 - Mgmt 3
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-06-06
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Matthew Kolar is a Public Defense Investigator at Public Defense Board within J52D048 - Management 3. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $77,459. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Dakota Horton

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Third Judical District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-02-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Dakota Horton holds the role of Public Defense Investigator at Public Defense Board within Third Judical District. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $77,459. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Support Staff.

Maria Bloch

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Seventh District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2019-10-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Defense Board, Maria Bloch serves as a Public Defense Investigator within Seventh District. Their tenure dates to 2019, about 6 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $77,459. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Support Staff.

Amanda Siwek

Public Defense Paralegal/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Tenth Judicial District 2
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2017-07-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 4
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Anoka

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Defense Board, Amanda Siwek serves as a Public Defense Paralegal within Tenth Judicial District 2. Hired in 2017, they have about 8 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $77,459. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Support Staff.

Daniel Bessette

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Sixth Judicial District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2022-03-30
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Defense Board, Daniel Bessette serves as a Public Defense Investigator within Sixth Judicial District. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $77,459. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Support Staff.

Jessica Schyma

Public Defense Paralegal/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$77,459

Sub-department: Seventh District
Base pay: $77,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,459
Hire date: 2011-10-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 4
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Defense Board, Jessica Schyma serves as a Public Defense Paralegal within Seventh District. Their tenure dates to 2011, about 14 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $77,459. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.