Become a Court Assigned Counsel

Court Assigned Counsel Program (Non Members)

Want litigation experience? Want to develop your reputation as a criminal defense attorney? Then CAC is for you.

From juvenile delinquency through 187s and special circumstance cases, our CAC attorneys can be seen throughout the local court system.

Join now! Since 1985, the San Joaquin County Bar Association, under contract with the County of San Joaquin, has provided conflict counsel in criminal and certain civil actions requiring appointed counsel.

Why should you join CAC?

  • CAC is the county's sole conflict counsel program.
  • SJCBA negotiates the contract with the county and provides the administrative support
  • SJCBA provides the online and real time billing process for payment of Court Assigned Counsel, Investigators, Witnesses, Travel Time & Expenses.
  • SJCBA handles all the calendaring of CAC attorneys for the daily calendars in all the Superior Court departments located throughout the county.
  • CAC attorneys handle more than 2400 assigned cases per year.
  • Attorneys with four or five years experience in their concentrations may qualify.
  • New attorneys with less than five years experience in their concentrations may receive referrals in civil, probate and military assignments.

Contact us to see if you qualify.

  • Build your litigation skills - CAC attorneys try more cases than most of our other Bar members.
  • Build your client base from scratch, in a new area of law, or obtain new clients in your regular areas of law practice.

What does it cost?

If you're a member of the San Joaquin County Bar Association, it will cost you $50 over and above your SJCBA dues to join only CAC. If you're already a member of the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS), then your CAC membership is included in the $100 LRS dues.

If you're not an SJCBA member and not an LRS member, then your CAC (only; not LRS) dues are $100 per year. If you would like to join the SJCBA, download the SJCBA Membership Application.

How do you join? You can call the Bar offices at (209) 948-4620 and ask for an application packet or you can download them from either the Join the LRS page or from the About CAC page on our website. Once you have completed the application and the supporting documentation, the peer review committee will review the application and approve or deny the application. Once approved, you must pay your dues and submit proof of insurance to complete the application process. Then you'll be assigned to a courtroom for a specific session and start representing clients immediately.

For more information about our service or to join, contact Linda Mussat at (209) 948-4620 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it