The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, along with Californians for Safety and Justice—co-sponsors of AB 321, the Better Informed Decisions (BID) Act—are celebrating that California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 321 into law on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. This bill, authored by Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank), ensures that judges in the state’s criminal courts have more...Read More

Today, an SF judge ruled that the teen accused of shooting and attempting to rob 49er Ricky Pearsall will remain in juvenile court instead of being transferred to adult court.Read More

Public Defenders tried to get the man into a Mental Health Diversion Program, but the District Attorney’s Office objected. Instead, the case went to trial where a jury fully acquitted him.Read More

Prosecutors tried to eke a felony plea out of an unhoused man who defended himself against a drunk security guard who challenged him to an alley fight. Instead, he demanded a trial. Public Defender Tal Klement pushed for a dismissal, and prosecutors finally saw that they had no case.Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org  **PRESS RELEASE** S.F. Man Shot by Police with Projectiles from a ‘Modified Grenade Launcher’ Acquitted of Felony Charges SAN FRANCISCO —  A San Francisco jury has acquitted Bryan Soper, 50, of felony charges that stemmed from SFPD officers’ rush to use force on him.  On July...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org  **PRESS RELEASE** SF Public Defenders Win First Racial Justice Act Motion in San Francisco Judge grants motion finding implicit bias with police officer’s testimony SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Public Defenders have won the first California Racial Justice Act (RJA) motion in San Francisco since the...Read More

On Feb. 19, 2025, elected San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju gave our office’s annual community budget presentation. PD Raju discussed our office’s critical work defending more than 20,000 indigent clients per year, and our services that strengthen communities. Learn about our budget and priorities for 2025-2026 that will allow us to continue pursuing justice...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 12, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** S.F. Public Defender’s MAGIC Programs Celebrate 20 Years of Service to Youth & Families in the Bayview and Fillmore Districts SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office gathered with community partners to celebrate 20 years of...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 1, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org  **PRESS RELEASE** SF Public Defenders Condemn Latest Courthouse Arrest of 9-Months-Pregnant Woman SF District Attorney & SFPD continue to collude with Feds to target immigrant mothers, circumvent due process, and violate Sanctuary Ordinance SAN FRANCISCO — On Oct. 24, SFPD officers carried out a surprise arrest...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2024 MEDIA CONTACTS:  Jessie Seyfer | SF Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | (628) 271-9800 Will Matthews | Californians for Safety and Justice | will@safeandjust.org **PRESS RELEASE** San Francisco Public Defender’s Office Celebrates 25 Years of its Clean Slate Expungement Program State laws recently expanded eligibility for cleaning up criminal...Read More