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 1

Sean Morris

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$61,970

Sub-department: Fifth Judicial District 1
Base pay: $55,473
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,497
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $61,970
Hire date: 2023-02-15
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

Sean Morris works as a Public Defense Assistant Attorney for Public Defense Board within Fifth Judicial District 1. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a full-time employee. Sean earned $61,970 in 2025. Union affiliation: Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Ushna Altaf

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$60,955

Sub-department: First Judicial District
Base pay: $60,955
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,955
Hire date: 2023-05-24
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
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: 300
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Ushna Altaf is a Public Defense Assistant Attorney at Public Defense Board within First Judicial District. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $60,955. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Aaron Kinser

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$60,829

Sub-department: Fifth Judicial District
Base pay: $60,829
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,829
Hire date: 2010-10-27
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: Blue Earth

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 300
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Aaron Kinser works as a Public Defense Assistant Attorney for Public Defense Board within Fifth Judicial District. Their tenure dates to 2010, about 15 years as a part-time, 0.5 FTE employee. Aaron earned $60,829 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Michael Sandy

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$60,829

Sub-department: Fifth Judicial District
Base pay: $60,829
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,829
Hire date: 2021-05-12
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: Blue Earth

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 300
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Michael Sandy works as a Public Defense Assistant Attorney for Public Defense Board within Fifth Judicial District. Hired in 2021, they have about 4 years of service as a part-time, 0.5 FTE employee. Michael earned $60,829 in 2025. Union affiliation: Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Deborah Nolen

Legal Office Assistant/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$60,362

Sub-department: Fourth Judicial District FT
Base pay: $60,362
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,362
Hire date: 2023-12-13
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
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

Deborah Nolen is a Legal Office Assistant at Public Defense Board within Fourth Judicial District Ft. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $60,362. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.

Mar'Shonda Austin

Legal Office Assistant/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$60,362

Sub-department: Fourth Judicial District FT
Base pay: $60,362
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,362
Hire date: 2023-07-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
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, Mar'Shonda Austin serves as a Legal Office Assistant within Fourth Judicial District Ft. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $60,362. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Evan Jannatpour

Legal Office Assistant/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$60,362

Sub-department: Appellate Office 4
Base pay: $60,362
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,362
Hire date: 2023-04-03
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
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

Evan Jannatpour holds the role of Legal Office Assistant at Public Defense Board within Appellate Office 4. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $60,362. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Support Staff.

Krysta Roland

Legal Office Assistant/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$60,362

Sub-department: Eighth Judicial District
Base pay: $60,362
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,362
Hire date: 2023-01-18
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Kandiyohi

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

Krysta Roland holds the role of Legal Office Assistant at Public Defense Board within Eighth Judicial District. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $60,362. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Katey Kunz

Public Defense Legal Secretary/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$60,362

Sub-department: Seventh Judicial Dist
Base pay: $60,362
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,362
Hire date: 2022-08-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
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

Katey Kunz is a Public Defense Legal Secretary at Public Defense Board within Seventh Judicial District. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $60,362. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.

Luke Smith

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2024 total comp

$60,216

Sub-department: Tenth Judicial District
Base pay: $60,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,216
Hire date: 2023-05-10
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.75
Work county: Anoka

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 300
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Luke Smith holds the role of Public Defense Assistant Attorney at Public Defense Board within Tenth Judicial District. Hired in 2023, they have about a year of service as a part-time, 0.75 FTE employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $60,216. They are represented by Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Miranda Solem

Legal Office Assistant/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$59,665

Sub-department: Seventh Judicial Dist
Base pay: $59,665
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,665
Hire date: 2022-12-12
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
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, Miranda Solem serves as a Legal Office Assistant within Seventh Judicial District. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $59,665. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Jason Fredenberg

Public Defense Investigator/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$59,584

Sub-department: Seventh District FT
Base pay: $59,584
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,584
Hire date: 2024-09-11
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

Jason Fredenberg works as a Public Defense Investigator for Public Defense Board within Seventh District Ft. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service as a full-time employee. Jason earned $59,584 in 2025. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.

Michael Ryan

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$59,051

Sub-department: Sixth Judicial District
Base pay: $39,196
Overtime: $2,640
Other pay: $17,215
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,051
Hire date: 2012-08-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

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

Michael Ryan is a Public Defense Assistant Attorney at Public Defense Board within Sixth Judicial District. They have served since 2012 (about 13 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $59,051. Union affiliation: Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Vanessa Jerome

Public Defense Paralegal/Public Defense Board

2024 total comp

$58,983

Sub-department: Ninth District-ThiefRiverFalls
Base pay: $58,983
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,983
Hire date: 2023-08-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 4
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Support Staff
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

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

Vanessa Jerome works as a Public Defense Paralegal for Public Defense Board within Ninth District-Thiefriverfalls. Hired in 2023, they have about a year of service as a full-time employee. Vanessa earned $58,983 in 2024. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Christian Garcia

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$58,669

Sub-department: First Judicial District
Base pay: $54,156
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,513
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,669
Hire date: 2023-05-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

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

Christian Garcia works as a Public Defense Assistant Attorney for Public Defense Board within First Judicial District. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a full-time employee. Christian earned $58,669 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Joel Sand

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$57,569

Sub-department: Sixth Judicial District
Base pay: $57,569
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,569
Hire date: 2024-10-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
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: 300
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Joel Sand holds the role of Public Defense Assistant Attorney at Public Defense Board within Sixth Judicial District. They have served since 2024 (about a year) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $57,569. They are represented by Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Garrett Speak

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$57,382

Sub-department: Third District FT
Base pay: $57,382
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,382
Hire date: 2023-05-24
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
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: 300
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Garrett Speak works as a Public Defense Assistant Attorney for Public Defense Board within Third District Ft. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a full-time employee. Garrett earned $57,382 in 2025. They are represented by Public Defense - Asst Attorney.

Amy Steeves

Legal Office Assistant/Public Defense Board

2024 total comp

$57,082

Sub-department: Appellate Office 4
Base pay: $52,814
Overtime: $5
Other pay: $4,262
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,082
Hire date: 1999-03-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
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, 2024: No
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 301
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Amy Steeves is a Legal Office Assistant at Public Defense Board within Appellate Office 4. They have served since 1999 (about 25 years), working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $57,082. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Kaia Lindner

Legal Office Assistant/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$56,763

Sub-department: Seventh District Moorhead
Base pay: $56,763
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,763
Hire date: 2013-10-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
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, Kaia Lindner serves as a Legal Office Assistant within Seventh District Moorhead. They have served since 2013 (about 12 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $56,763. They are represented by Public Defense-Support Staff.

Carlee Moe

Legal Office Assistant/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$56,727

Sub-department: Seventh District Detroit Lakes
Base pay: $56,727
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,727
Hire date: 2024-07-31
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
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, Carlee Moe serves as a Legal Office Assistant within Seventh District Detroit Lakes. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $56,727. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Support Staff.

Jiaqi Li

Public Defense Assistant Attorney/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$55,123

Sub-department: Appellate Office 7
Base pay: $51,178
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,944
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,123
Hire date: 2021-03-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense - Asst Attorney
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

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

Jiaqi Li holds the role of Public Defense Assistant Attorney at Public Defense Board within Appellate Office 7. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 4 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $55,123. Union affiliation: Public Defense - Asst Attorney.