News and Press Releases

Defender, created by San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi and Jim Choi, focuses on Adachi and his team during the racially-charged trial of Michael Smith, a 22-year-old African American man. Smith was charged with nine counts of resisting arrest after being pulled off a BART train with his girlfriend and wrestled to the ground by officers. The incident, which was...

For advocating for justice on behalf of young Bayview Hunters Point residents, San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi will receive the 3rd Street Youth Center and Clinic’s Youth Champion Award.

Retiree accused of stealing $5 and cologne remains jailed on $350,000 bond

The Immigration Defense Fund will provide grants to fund expert witness testimony in immigration cases handled by low-cost and pro bono attorneys.

Two more bills passed yesterday to reform California’s criminal (in)justice system: AB 1008 (Ban the Box) – modeled on the SF and LA laws, restricts the use of criminal records in employment decisions.  Employers will no longer be able to ask about criminal background on a job application, or at any time before a tentative offer of employment has been...