Federal Judge orders ICE to release four detained immigrants at risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 infection SAN FRANCISCO – On April 8, 2020, a federal judge ordered the release of four immigrants detained in two ICE detention centers in California on the grounds that their age and medical conditions make them especially vulnerable...Read More

SF-Public-Defender-District-Attorney-Joint-Letter-to-Governor-Newsom-3.27.20-1DownloadRead More

All of our incarcerated clients – including our clients in immigration detention centers – continue to be at a heightened risk of being exposed to COVID-19, and my office is fighting every day for their health and safety. Immigration detention facilities are particularly at risk with regards to spread of infectious diseases because of congregate-style...Read More

San Francisco Public Defender, Mano Raju, sent the following letter to the Director of Juvenile Probation:Read More

Mano Raju, San Francisco Public Defender Brendon Woods, Alameda County Public DefenderRead More

Reference: Washington Association of Sheriff’s & Police ChiefsRead More

Jury Acquits Mother Charged with DUI after Fleeing Domestic Abuse SAN FRANCISCO — Yesterday, a jury found Liz Anaya, 31, not guilty of DUI charges that arose when she was fleeing domestic abuse from her partner.  Her attorney, Deputy Public Defender Nitin Sapra, successfully argued that she had not planned on driving that night, but only did...Read More

SAN FRANCISCO — Today, in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office will begin filing motions to seek the immediate release of all clients being held pre-trial in San Francisco county jails who are at heightened risk of illness from the virus.  People at heightened risk for the...Read More

SAN FRANCISCO, MARCH 5, 2020 –  This morning, all charges were dismissed against Kenneth Ofigho, 31, a former employee of Edgewood Center, who has consistently maintained his innocence after being wrongly accused of inappropriately touching a minor in April 2019.  The charges were dismissed after a lengthy review of all the evidence, including the lack...Read More

San Francisco– On election day, Tuesday March 3, federal immigration agents arrested a San Francisco resident in front of the courthouse steps of 850 Bryant Street as he was entering criminal court for a hearing. ICE agents acted without a judicial warrant and therefore in violation of state law. The San Francisco Public Defender and...Read More