Veteran Defense Lawyer Appointed County Public Defender

RIVERSIDE -- A Riverside County defense attorney who has been practicing law for 40 years -- 10 of those under county contract -- was today named the county's public defender.

Steve Harmon, 65, is slated to begin his duties before the end of the current fiscal year, taking over management of an agency with a roughly $33 million annual budget and 225 employees.

Harmon was hired by county CEO Jay Orr following a selection process that involved about 50 applicants, according to the county Executive Office.

The search for a qualified candidate began two weeks after the Nov. 7 departure of then-Riv...