News and Press Releases

San Francisco, CA – Public Defender Jeff Adachi announces victory for his client Antonio Buitrago who was ordered excluded from the Mission gang injunction by Superior Court Judge Patrick Mahoney. Judge Mahoney ruled that “the record does not establish by clear and convincing evidence that (Antonio Buitrago) is an active gang member.” The decision granting a preliminary injunction in the...

City attorney uses controversial tool against gang violence, a move critics and gang members say may do more harm than good. By Dan Verel San Francisco Bay Guardian, October 3, 2007 Read the rest of this article here.

San Francisco, CA – A new strategy for dealing with gangs is responsible for a dramatic decline in homicides in Los Angeles, according to a front-page story in today’s Los Angeles Times. The strategy involves a community-based, law enforcement program that works collaboratively with ex-gang members to prevent gang violence. According to the Times, the notoriously crime ridden city got...

By Hector Becerra and Richard Winton, Staff Writers Los Angeles Times, September 28, 2007 Los Angeles has seen a significant decline in homicides so far this year — including a 50% drop in killings in some South L.A. neighborhoods, such as Watts — as police embarked on a new strategy involving asking ex-gang members to help prevent violence. Read the...

San Francisco, CA – On September 15, 2007, the Organization of Chinese Americans, San Mateo Chapter, honored San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi at their 20th Annual Asian American Achievement Awards Gala. The Awards Gala was held at the South San Francisco Conference Center. “It is an honor to be recognized by the OCA,” says Public Defender Jeff Adachi. “The...