News and Press Releases

ICE’s action comes as people inside and outside detention protest worsening conditions at California facilities FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2024PRESS CONTACT: Jessie Seyfer, public relations officer | (628) 271-9800 | San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | pdr-mediarelations@sfgov.org   **PRESS RELEASE** Detained Individuals, Immigrant Advocates Condemn ICE Ending Free Legal Phone Calls ProgramICE’s action comes as people inside and outside detention...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2024CONTACT: S.F. Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** SAN FRANCISCO — Today, San Francisco community leaders held a press conference to denounce recent measures targeting the unhoused individuals. Speakers called for real and sustainable solutions to homelessness, emphasizing that criminalization is neither an effective nor humane approach. They demanded that San Francisco take immediate action to fill...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2024 CONTACT: S.F. Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** SF Coalition to End Biased Stops Celebrates ‘Pretext’ Stop Policy Going into Effect, Releases ‘Know Your Rights’ Guide  SAN FRANCISCO — The Coalition to End Biased Stops—which includes over 110 traffic safety and civil rights groups that advocated for restricting the San Francisco Police Department’s...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2024PRESS CONTACT: San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | pdr-mediarelations@sfgov.org   **PRESS RELEASE** State Appellate Court Orders SF Superior Court to Dismiss Misdemeanor Case Due to Unlawful Trial BacklogFirst Appellate Court decision opens door for dismissal of more than a hundred cases whose trials were unconstitutionally delayed months, years past mandated deadlines SAN FRANCISCO — A state...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS STATEMENT** SF Public Defender Applauds Restoration of State’s Public Defender Pilot Program and Urges Permanent Funding SAN FRANCISCO, CA – This week, the California State Legislature and Governor reached an agreement that restores funding to the Public Defender Pilot Program (PDPP) in the state...