Defender, created by San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi and Jim Choi, focuses on Adachi and his team during the racially-charged trial of Michael Smith, a 22-year-old African American man. Smith was charged with nine counts of resisting arrest after being pulled off a BART train with his girlfriend and wrestled to the ground by officers. The incident, which was caught on police body cameras and commuters’ cell phones, occurred after a white passenger falsely reported Smith had a gun.
For advocating for justice on behalf of young Bayview Hunters Point residents, San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi will receive the 3rd Street Youth Center and Clinic’s Youth Champion Award.
Retiree accused of stealing $5 and cologne remains jailed on $350,000 bond
The Immigration Defense Fund will provide grants to fund expert witness testimony in immigration cases handled by low-cost and pro bono attorneys.
Two more bills passed yesterday to reform California’s criminal (in)justice system: AB 1008 (Ban the Box) – modeled on the SF and LA laws, restricts the use of criminal records in employment decisions. Employers will no longer be able to ask about criminal background on a job application, or at any time before a tentative […]
A former San Francisco State University cheerleader thrown through the glass window of a high rise dorm was acquitted of a slew of felony charges after a jury determined he stabbed his attacker in self-defense, San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi announced today.
“The elimination of the DACA program will potentially affect thousands of young and productive San Franciscans who were brought to this country as children.”
In advance of several protests across the Bay Area this weekend, San Francisco Public Defenders are reminding residents of their legal rights if detained or arrested by law enforcement. We’ll also be on hand as legal observers at Saturday’s action at Crissy Field.
To ensure local students start the academic year with the tools needed for success, the San Francisco Public Defender’s MAGIC programs will distribute backpacks stuffed with school supplies to more than 3,500 children and youth during two August events.
Read Francisco Ugarte’s piece in the San Francisco Bay View.