Federal
Federal public defender salaries are set by the U.S. circuit courts of appeals in amounts not to exceed the salary of the U.S. attorney, $157,000. Assistant federal public defender salaries are set by the federal public defender and are also limited by the amounts paid to assistant U.S. attorneys in the district.
Atlanta: $42,179-$157,000
Hartford, Conn.: $43,586-$157,000
Salem, Ore.: $42,728-$157,000
Source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

The FPD we had was amazing and deserves it!!!

Those salaries are not out of line when you consider that these people are licensed attorneys. Most new AFPD's have something like 3 to 7 years experience as attorneys before they are appointed to the position.

Federal P.O.

Actually the salaries for AFPDs are quite low especially compared to the defense attorneys. Many begin their careers as either an AFPD or AUSA in order to command the high defense retainers later. My own defense attorney charged $50K which is more than many of the AFPDs earn in a year.

My intent was to clarify that those who are utilizing these public defenders have the right to be treated with the same dignity and respect as those who have the money to pay. There seemed to be an assumption that the public defenders had a right to arrogance because the clients "gets what he pays for."

BTW, I appreciate all of the knowledge that you bring to this forum.

SusanT

By the way, the starting salary for a first year associate in NY is $162,000 and in Boston $144,000. So I dont necessarily agree that they are "well paid" relatively speaking.

By the way, the starting salary for a first year associate in NY is $162,000 and in Boston $144,000. So I dont necessarily agree that they are "well paid" relatively speaking.

exactly, compared to what you could be making in a firm, most likely dealing with less "personalities" and less cases, it is not on par

If we are speaking in terms of RELATIVITY, the mean individual income in the U.S.A. last year was $42,000.00 and the top 2% of incomes were $127,000.00 and over; Therefore I have to agree with SusanT. Sorry John, but I still think you are cool my friend :) even if we agree to disagree this time.

Keep the Faith

Michael :thumbsup:

TX. not a problem and your point is well taken and correct. I was hoping to have people barf (figuratively, of course) when they found out what a first year lawyer made!!!!! Keep in mind these fold cant ind the courthouse with a map, cab money and a head start and certainly wouldn't know what to do in it, if they found it.

The point I was making is that members who are using a Public Defender are entitled to having their attorney explain things to them and respond to their phone calls as the PDs are paid with their tax dollars.

I noticed through some of the threads that many thought these guys were in private practice with large firms doing this as pro bono work.

These PDs are not providing a "gift" that our members just need to be grateful for and feel like they "get what they paid for".