FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2021 CONTACT:  SF Public Defender’s Office – Valerie.Ibarra@sfgov.org – (628)249-7946 Free The Yuba 11 Campaign – Edwin@ccijustice.org – (415) 933-4922 **PRESS RELEASE** Last Two Remaining Immigrants Detained by ICE in Yuba County Jail Seek Release  Defense attorneys file writs of habeas corpus in Federal Court, argue their detention is unlawful ...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  September 21, 2021  CONTACT: San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | Yessica Gonzalez | yessica.gonzalez@sfgov.org | (323) 379-2032;  Valerie Ibarra | valerie.ibarra@sfgov.org | (628) 249-7946 ** PRESS RELEASE**  DOZENS RALLY OUTSIDE THE HALL OF JUSTICE DENOUNCING COURT VIOLATIONS OF PEOPLE’S SPEEDY TRIAL RIGHTS  San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju and four others filed...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2021CONTACT: Yessica Gonzalez | yessica.gonzalez@sfgov.org | (323) 379-2032; Valerie Ibarra | valerie.ibarra@sfgov.org | (628) 249-7946 **MEDIA ADVISORY for TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st** San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju and Impacted Family Members Sue San Francisco Superior Court for Illegally Denying People their Right to a Speedy Trial WHAT: On Tuesday, September...Read More

On September 8, 2021, the SFPD tried to rush a vote by the Police Commission to accept updated policies around warrants that were designed — as 48 Hills noted and our Integrity Unit argued — with little public input and without consulting our department nor the District Attorney’s Office. One of the more egregious parts of...Read More

On September 12, 2021, Attorneys Matt Gonzalez and Francisco Ugarte published an article on Medium titled “An Open Letter to the Biden Administration: It’s time to drop charges against José Ines García Zárate” whom they represented in state court when he was charged and acquitted of the murder of Kate Steinle. The new editorial argues...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2021 CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office – Valerie.Ibarra@sfgov.org – (628)249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** SF Jury Acquits Woman Accused of Violating a Restraining Order  Ex-partner lied and set her up to fail  SAN FRANCISCO – Last week, a San Francisco jury acquitted a 28 year old woman of violating a civil restraining...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2021 CONTACT: San Francisco Public Defender’s Office – Valerie.Ibarra@sfgov.org – (628)249-7946 ** PRESS RELEASE** SF Jury Acquits Homeless Man of Arson of Russian Hill Residence SAN FRANCISCO – This week, a San Francisco jury acquitted Erbert Mayek, 38, of numerous felony arson and arson-related charges stemming from a fire that...Read More

Zac Dillon of our Integrity Unit was quoted in the Examiner and Mission Local when he spoke at the September 1, 2021, meeting of the San Francisco Police Commission where they were discussing proposed legislation, SB 16, to expand police transparency laws in California. Both the new legislation and the original police transparency bill, SB...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2021 CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office – Valerie.Ibarra@sfgov.org – (628)249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** 16 Public Defender Clients Graduate Behavioral Health Court First Virtual Graduation Celebrates Participants as they Strive to Heal Amidst Pandemic SAN FRANCISCO – Today, in a ceremony held on zoom and presided over by Superior Court Judge Charles...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2021 CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office – Valerie.Ibarra@sfgov.org – (628)249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** San Francisco Public Defender calls for release of Ricardo Vasquez Cruz, one of only 3 remaining ICE detainees at Yuba County Jail amidst COVID outbreak SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Public Defender is urgently calling for ICE...Read More