News and Press Releases

On June 27, 2022, the SF Examiner published this Op Ed – What happens when San Francisco and other cities drastically underfund public defender offices – by San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju. Click through to read the full Opinion. Excerpt: As trusted advocates for our clients, public defenders are the best positioned out of all justice and safety agencies...

SF Public Defender Mano Raju Reacts to U.S. Supreme Court Abortion Ruling The recent Supreme Court ruling that in effect overturned Roe v. Wade is outrageous and unjust. States that choose to deny reproductive rights will cause terrible, and in some cases deadly, health outcomes. As public defenders who see the injustices and harms caused by our criminal system everyday,...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | Valerie.Ibarra@sfgov.org | (628)249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** SF Man Acquitted in Death of Elderly Dogwalker SAN FRANCISCO – A San Francisco jury found Peter Rocha not guilty of murder and all felony charges in the accidental death of an elderly Glen Park resident, Leo Hainzl. The jury convicted Mr....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 8, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | Valerie.Ibarra@sfgov.org | (628) 249-7946 **PRESS STATEMENT** SF Public Defender Mano Raju’s Statement After Recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin “After the election results recalling District Attorney Chesa Boudin, the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office reiterates our commitment to advocating for system-impacted community members and racial equity, and...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | pubdef-mediarelations@sfgov.org | (628)249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** San Francisco Public Defender’s Office Condemns SFPD Killing of Two Men, Including Former Client Rafael Mendoza SAN FRANCISCO – Last Thursday, members of the San Francisco Police Department shot and killed two men after being called to a reported assault in progress....