The Hon. Jared A. Jefferson is a judge for the Monterey County Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 3, 2021, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Susan J. Matcham.
Prior to his appointment, Jefferson worked for the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office. He started as a deputy public defender in 2015, rising through the ranks to become its Chief Deputy Public Defender in 2021. Before that, he spent one year as an attorney for the Alternate Defense Office (2014 to 2015).
Jefferson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis. He then completed a J.D. at Santa Clara University School of Law in 2009. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2009.
After graduating from law school, Jefferson began his legal career as a volunteer attorney for the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office. He served in that capacity until 2011, at which time he became a deputy public defender with the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office.
Jefferson was a resident of Salinas, California, at the time of his appointment.
He is registered as a Democrat.