If you’re looking to make a lot of money as a lawyer, you might want to consider becoming a public defender.
That’s because the average public defender’s salary is one of the highest in the country, right behind that of corporate lawyers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for all lawyers in 2015 was $115,820 per year—but public defenders made $128,470 annually.
So what do public defenders do? Well, they represent people who are charged with crimes but cannot afford private attorneys. In other words, they’re fighting for justice on behalf of those who can’t afford it themselves. It’s a noble profession.
In this post, we will give more details into the profession of public defenders and help you answer the question, ‘how much does a public defender make.’
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Who Is A Public Defender?
A public defender is a lawyer who represents people who can’t afford to hire their own attorney. Public defenders are paid by the state or county and are assigned to cases based on the severity of the crime and the defendant’s ability to pay for a private attorney.
When you’re charged with a crime, you have the right to a lawyer regardless of your financial situation. If you cannot afford one, it’s up to your legal counsel (that would be your public defender) to provide you with effective representation that meets your unique needs as well as those of society at large.
It may seem obvious that a person facing criminal charges should be provided with an attorney free of charge, but not everyone agrees on what qualifies as effective representation. Some states require attorneys only show up at certain court appearances. But other jurisdictions expect them to actually do some work, like talking with witnesses before trial begins
And others could also mandate more extensive involvement in pre-trial preparation for clients who haven’t been convicted yet but still face prison time if found guilty later down the track.
So How Much Does A Public Defender Make?
Public defender salaries range from $40,000 to $115,000. The highest-paid public defenders earn an average salary of $131,000 per year, while the lowest-paid public defenders earn an average salary of $40,000 per year. The average salary for all public defenders is $67,000 per year.
The starting pay for a public defender varies by state and location as well as whether you work in state or federal court. For example, in New York City, the starting salary for a full-time attorney working at a district attorney’s office during their first year is about $45K. After that, it increases to about $60K.
A new assistant district attorney would make about one-third more than someone with no experience but who has graduated law school within the last two years.
If you live near San Francisco and want a job as a deputy public defender there (a job where you represent indigent clients who cannot afford private attorneys), then your annual income will most likely be around $57K when starting out.
In Washington D.C., where there are many opportunities available, but competition is fierce between aspiring lawyers trying to get their foot in at one of these prestigious offices!
Specialization also determines salary, with criminal defense attorneys making more than other types of public defenders, such as family lawyers or juvenile defense attorneys (who typically earn between $35k-$40k/year).
Regional Differences Play a Large Role in Determining How Much Public Defenders Earn
When asking how much does a public defender makes, you should know that location is always a huge factor. If a public defender works in an area where the cost of living is high, they can expect to earn more than if they were working in an area with a lower cost of living.
For instance, the state with the highest cost of living, Alaska, pays public defenders an average of $91,000. New Mexico, where the cost of living is about 15% lower than in Alaska and other states with high costs of living, pays public defenders about $75,000 per year.
In contrast to these states’ salaries for public defenders with similar work experience and education levels (if any), California offers public defender salaries that are about 25% lower than those offered by New Mexico at $68,000 per year.
For comparison’s sake: Texas has one of the lowest costs of living in the country but still pays its public defenders considerably more than California does. Texas’ average salary for a full-time licensed attorney is $80k. This number includes all licensed attorneys, regardless of whether or not they have been promoted to positions requiring them to manage large caseloads or provide expert testimony.
What Type of Lawyers Make the Most Money?
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid lawyers in the country. They make an average of $265,000 a year, which is more than double the national average for attorneys.
Patent attorneys work with inventors who have developed or invented something new or unique, and they help them obtain patents for it. This can be anything from an invention that improves upon a current technology to something completely new and groundbreaking.
Patent attorneys often specialize in certain areas of law, such as software or bioengineering.
Public Defender Attorneys Have One of the Most Important Jobs in the Country
When you are asking, ‘how much does a public defender make,’ you should also know that public defender attorneys have one of the most important jobs in the country.
They are the last line of defense for citizens accused of crimes, and their work on behalf of those who cannot afford a lawyer makes sure that justice is done. They represent people who are poor, disadvantaged, or disenfranchised.
Public defenders play an essential role in our society because they provide a critical service to the community by guaranteeing that everyone has access to competent legal representation regardless of how much money they have or whether they’re guilty or innocent.
Conclusion on How Much Does a Public Defender Make
Public defenders don’t only earn decent salaries but also have one of the most reputable jobs in the country. The average of a public defender is $67,000 per year.
That being said, their job helps keep our country safe and secure. If you are interested in working at a firm or becoming a public defender yourself, check out our other posts about starting your career as an attorney today!
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