FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2023 MEDIA CONTACT: PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org  | Jessie Seyfer (415) 851-2212 **PRESS STATEMENT** Public Defenders Urge Legislature to Stop Governor from Cutting Successful Resentencing Program SAN FRANCISCO, OAKLAND — Thousands of people who are eligible for release back to their families and communities will remain locked in California prisons if the Legislature approves Gov....Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2023 MEDIA CONTACT: PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | Valerie Ibarra, PIO (628) 249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** San Francisco Jury Acquits Man Who Defended Himself and Pregnant Girlfriend SAN FRANCISCO – On Monday, Feb. 27, a jury acquitted Mario Ramirez of attempted murder and related charges, finding that Ramirez acted in self-defense and in defense...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 2, 2023 MEDIA CONTACT: PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | Valerie Ibarra (628) 249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** Murder Charges Dismissed Against Men Implicated in Death of Famed Private Investigator Jack Palladino Defense uncovered witness credibility issues;Ongoing trial delays caused men to languish in jail for two years SAN FRANCISCO – Prosecutors this week dismissed all charges against...Read More

Please read, share, subscribe to our newsletters with updates about the work of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office as we fight for the rights and safety of our clients and our communities with courage, humanity and integrity. You can sign up here to receive these in your inbox. January 2024 January 2023 Spring 2022...Read More

In December 2022, CBS News Innovation Lab interviewed San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju, Deputy Public Defender Alexandra Pray, and Ms. Pray’s client Sarina Borg for an in-depth report looking at the national problem of court backlogs: Growing backlog of court cases delays justice for crime victims and the accused Ms. Borg waited 2.5 years...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 8, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | (628) 249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** Judge Dismisses Case Against Woman Held in SF Jail for 2.5 Years, Citing Lack of Evidence Sarina Borg was jailed nearly two years past her Constitutionally mandated trial deadline SAN FRANCISCO — On Nov. 7, a San Francisco Superior Court judge...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | (628)249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** Jury Acquits Man Who Confessed Falsely to Decades-Old Cases in Desperate Attempt to Be Moved Out of Hellish Florida Prison Jury acquitted Roy Lacy on count 1, and hung on count 2.  SAN FRANCISCO –  After a two-month trial, a San Francisco...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 12, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org;  Jessie.Seyfer@sfgov.org | (415) 851-2212 **PRESS RELEASE** Drug Policy Experts and Treatment Providers Urge Evidence-based Treatment and Harm Reduction Strategies Needed to Address SF Public Health Crisis Criminalizing the supply does nothing to abate the demand. Instead of bringing back the harmful...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | Valerie Ibarra (628)249.7946 **PRESS STATEMENT** SF Public Defender Mano Raju Urges More Public Health Support for Opioid Crisis “Today, Mayor London Breed, SFPD Chief Bill Scott, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and Supervisor Matt Dorsey held a press conference to discuss...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | Jessie.Seyfer@sfgov.org | (628) 249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** SF Resident Who Acted in Defense of Friend in Mission District Fight Released After Acquittal and MistrialProsecutors lacked sufficient evidence to re-try the case against Nelson Hernandez-DeLeon.  SAN FRANCISCO – On Sept. 28, San...Read More