Joining with public defenders across the country, San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju is calling on everyone who supports the Constitutional right to counsel to wear black on Thursday, April 23 to show solidarity with public defenders.Read More
On March 10, 2026, S.F. Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman made a finding of contempt against San Francisco’s elected Public Defender Mano Raju after the judge ordered the Public Defender’s Office to take on more cases than would be ethically sound. The judge threatened monetary sanctions to be determined at a hearing on March 24....Read More
Impact Justice and the SF Public Defender's Office announced the launch of the Homecoming Project in San Francisco. The Homecoming Project pairs people who are recently released from prison with hosts in the community who can offer a spare room in their home for six months.Read More
This press release was updated at 1:39pm on 5/15/24. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** SF Jury Acquits Man Wrongly Charged in Castro Incidents Muhammed Abdullah spent 340 days in jail and was acquitted of all charges SAN FRANCISCO – On May 9, a San Francisco jury acquitted Muhammed Abdullah,...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 7, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | Jessie Seyfer | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | (415) 851-2212 **PRESS RELEASE** Traffic Safety, Civil Rights Groups Urge SF Police Commission to Override Police Union’s Stalling and Enact Policy Limiting Racially-Biased Pretext Stops SAN FRANCISCO – The Coalition to End Biased Stops, a coalition of more than 110 civil rights, traffic...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** SF Jury Acquits Man Wrongly Accused of Commercial Burglary and Possession of Stolen Property SAN FRANCISCO – On Jan. 24, a San Francisco jury found David Wesser, 37, not guilty of felony charges related to a commercial burglary that took place in July. Deputy...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 1, 2023MEDIA CONTACT: PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | Public Relations Officer Jessie.Seyfer@sfgov.org | (415) 851-2212 **PRESS STATEMENT** SF Public Defender’s Office Condemns Traumatic Federal Arrests of Young Mothers Attending Hearings at Hall of Justice District Attorney’s referral of cases to federal agents deters people from showing up to court, skirts Sanctuary policy, opens the door...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4, 2023 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | Valerie.Ibarra@sfgov.org | (628) 249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** SF Leaders Urge Gov. Newsom to Sign AB 881 to Increase Juror Pay at Sneak Preview of Documentary “Judging Juries” AB 881, Be The Jury CA (Ting), is on the governor’s desk SAN FRANCISCO — Last...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 15, 2023 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org; | (415) 851-2212 **PRESS RELEASE** Asm. Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) Introduces State Bill to Ease Financial Hardship of Jury Service, Increase Racial and Economic Diversity of Juries AB 881, known as Be The Jury California, would expand San Francisco’s successful Be The Jury...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2023 CONTACT: PubDef-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | PIO Valerie Ibarra (628)249-7946 **PRESS RELEASE** Re-Elected SF Public Defender Mano Raju Sworn In at Community Ceremony and Black History Month Celebration SAN FRANCISCO – Mano Raju was sworn in for a four-year term as San Francisco Public Defender at a community event celebrating Black History...Read More
