On May 29, 2020, the San Francisco Chronicle published this article by Megan Cassidy about the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office client, Paul Redd, who was resentenced in San Francisco Superior Court and earned release after more than 44 years in prison. Mr. Redd was convicted at age 19 based on the testimony of a […]
Court Finds Likely Constitutional Violation in ICE’S Detention of Immigrants in Two Cramped Detention Centers during Pandemic; Order Establishes Process for Court to Consider Releases of Detained Immigrants SAN FRANCISCO — In an emergency order, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order in response to a challenge by immigrants detained at two California immigration […]
After Long Battle, Public Defender Successfully Secures Release of Transgender Client from ICE Detention SAN FRANCISCO – Yesterday, the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office secured the release of Lexis Hernandez Avilez, a 41-year-old transgender woman who spent the last 17 months detained by ICE, most recently in Texas. Her story made headlines in January of […]
April 21, 2020 DETAINED IMMIGRANTS FILE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST ICE, DEMAND IMMEDIATE RELEASES FROM EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITIONS DURING GLOBAL PANDEMIC Lawsuit Also Defends First Amendment Right to Hunger Strike Over Dangerous Conditions SAN FRANCISCO – Immigrants detained at the Mesa Verde Detention Facility and the Yuba County Jail filed a class action lawsuit against […]
In response to the serious public health concerns related to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), our office has been leading the way in advocating for the health and safety of those who come into contact with the criminal legal system and who may be incarcerated in local jails, juvenile detention, immigration detention, and prisons. […]
San Francisco Public Defender Statement on First Confirmed Case of Coronavirus in San Francisco County Jail “While we knew it was nearly inevitable the virus would make its way into the jail, I am still deeply concerned to learn today that an incarcerated person in the San Francisco County Jail system tested positive for Coronavirus. […]
San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju’s Statement on the Board of Supervisors Legislation to Close CJ4 April 14, 2020 “After months of collaborating with Supervisor Fewer’s office and community partners on the legislation to close County Jail 4, I am proud that it will be introduced at the Board of Supervisors meeting today. County Jail […]
Public Defender Mano Raju Says “Zero Bail” measure is critical tool to prevent spread of COVID19 in jails throughout the state Today’s Emergency Bail Schedule implementation means people should be released from jails throughout the state starting at 5pm San Francisco — On April 6, the Judicial Council of California voted to implement a set […]
Federal Judge orders ICE to release four detained immigrants at risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 infection SAN FRANCISCO – On April 8, 2020, a federal judge ordered the release of four immigrants detained in two ICE detention centers in California on the grounds that their age and medical conditions make them especially vulnerable […]
