Annual Report
We are proud to present our 2020 Annual Report.
If you would like a physical copy, please contact us with your mailing information and we will do our best to dispatch one to you.
See previous year Annual Reports here.
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the San Francisco Public Defender’s office is to protect and defend the rights of our indigent clients, through effective, vigorous, compassionate, and creative legal advocacy.
We aspire to provide the highest level of legal advocacy for each of our clients, and to be a nationwide model for the delivery of indigent defense services.
Racial Action Plan
Racial Equity Action Plan – Phase I: December 30, 2020
In response to the City’s growing racial disparities, and as a means to address the history of structural and institutional racism in San Francisco’s delivery of services to the public and its own internal practices and systems, San Francisco legislated the creation of the Office of Racial Equity (Ordinance No. 188-19) in July 2019. For more information, please visit the Office of Racial Equity’s website: https://www.racialequitysf.org/
The Office of Racial Equity has called for all City’s Departments to prepare and submit a 3-year plan for Phase 1. Like all City Departments, we have work to do to ensure that we examine racial disparities and develop effective changes, programs, initiatives, and policies to address them. Our Plan describes many of the steps to be taken in this first phase, to apply racial equity principles to inspect and dismantle unfair and harmful structural and institutional policies and practices, while creating an actively anti-racist workplace.
The Public Defender’s Office (PDR) has prepared its Racial Equity Action Plan –Phase I: December 30, 2020, and will submit it the Plan to the Office of Racial Equity. This is a working document and we anticipate updating during the 3-year period. We welcome this opportunity for continued growth while maintaining our ardent commitment to racial justice work.
Can I Hire A Public Defender To Sue My Landlord?
Public Defenders practice criminal defense law. Rent related issues and lawsuits are considered civil matters and handled by civil attorneys. We can only provide our services to people who cannot afford a lawyer of their own as determined by Gideon v. Wainwright.
Partnerships
More Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in our Communities (Mo'MAGIC)
Mo'MAGIC aims is to enrich community resources through social and educational development; to create leadership and career opportunities utilizing programs and services for youth, that also serve as early intervention activities that help to reduce juvenile crime in the Fillmore/Western Addition.
Gifts and Donor Information
| Donor Name | Date | Gift | Value | Financial Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Association of San Francisco | May 2012 | Cash | $1,451.98 | None |
| Bar Association of San Francisco | June 2012 | Cash | $1,883.46 | None |
| Bar Association of San Francisco | Jan 2013 | Cash | $2,624.48 | None |
| Bar Association of San Francisco | Mar 2013 | Cash | $2,698.27 | None |
| Bar Association of San Francisco | May 2013 | Cash | $2,538.18 | None |