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

Calls Mount for Release of Vulnerable Prisoners as Justice System Struggles to Respond to Coronavirus By Marissa Lagos – KQED As much of California life grinds to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic, some groups are asking local and state officials to take sweeping actions — including letting people out of prison or jail...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

Coronavirus fears prompt call for SF police to halt arrests in non-violent cases Public defender asks SFPD to reduce ‘all unnecessary contact’ with detainees who pose no safety risk By Michael Barba – San Francisco Examiner – March 12, 2020 Citing the need to undercut the spread of coronavirus, San Francisco’s public defender has called...Read 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

By Darwin BondGraham – The Appeal – Mar 11, 2020 San Francisco Officials Push to Reduce Jail Population to Prevent Coronavirus Outbreak The public defender and district attorney both directed their staffs to keep individuals who are more vulnerable to the virus out of jail. The two public officials on opposing ends of San Francisco’s...Read More