Mark A. Arnold

arnold: Mark Arnold
Kern County Public Defender
Brief Biography
Mark Arnold has held the position of Kern County Public Defender since 1995. As the Department Head he is responsible for a staff of 54 lawyers, investigators and clerical personnel.

Prior to Mark's appointment to the Public Defender's office, he was the Chief Assistant Public Defender in Yolo County from 1987 to 1995, a Senior Attorney with the Ventura County Public Defender's Office from 1977 to 1987, Adjunct Professor for the University of California, Davis, School of Law Trial Practice from 1987 to 1995.

Mark's education has earned him a BA, Bachelor of Arts Degree, from Cal State University, Hayward and a JD, Juris Doctor Degree, from Southern California Institute of Law.

Organizational and Civic Memberships and activities include:
  • President, California Public Defender's Association 1997-1998, elected to Board of Directors since 1987
  • Chair, State Bar of California, Criminal Defendants Committee, Legal Services Section (to 1998)
  • Chair, Statewide Training Committee, California Public Defender's Association
  • Chair, Kern County Criminal Justice Cabinet
  • Member Judicial Council Court Interpreters Advisory Panel
  • Member Judicial Council Court/Community Outreach Advisory Panel, 1997-1998
  • Officer, State Board of Governors, Volunteers in Parole, California Department of Corrections and California Youth Authority
  • Chair, Advisory Board, Volunteers in Parole, Kern County, 1998
  • Board of Advisors, Kern County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Committee
  • Trustee, Member of Executive Board, Kern County Network for Children
  • Advisory Council, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc.
  • Member, Executive Committee, California State Bar, Legal Services Section
  • Author, California Criminal Law, Procedure and Practice, (CEB) First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifths Editions, Regents of the University of California Press, Berkeley, 1987-2000
  • Author, Criminal Defense Jury Instructions, Knowles Press, Houston, DC, (1984) Revised yearly
  • Coordinator of 80+ legal training seminars for trial lawyers
  • Lecturer at numerous criminal defense seminars, 1984-present
  • Provided advisory testimony before California State Legislature, both Senate and Assembly
  • Appellate practice in the California Courts of Appeal and the California Supreme Court

Agency Description
The Kern County Public Defender's office provides Constitutionally mandated representation for indigent individuals, both adults and juveniles, who have been accused of crime. They also provide representation for individuals who are targeted for conservatorships. The Public Defender has seven separate offices, which cover a geographical area of 8200 square miles.

"The power of collaboration and the Kern County Network for Children create a mechanism for all child service providers to communicate with each other in an effort to coordinate and maximize benefits to children and families."

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