SAN FRANCISCO — Today, the San Francisco Superior Court dismissed 69 misdemeanor cases against SF Public Defender clients, after an appellate court ruled last month that the Superior Court had unlawfully delayed a misdemeanor trial for over a year using COVID-19 as an excuse. The appellate court ruling had signaled that many other misdemeanor cases...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 8, 2024MEDIA CONTACT: Jessie Seyfer, public relations officer | (628) 271-9800 | San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | pdr-mediarelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** SF Jury Acquits Man Wrongly Accused of Purposely Running Over Friend’s Foot SAN FRANCISCO — On July 31, a San Francisco jury acquitted Anthony Sonnier, 55, of felony assault charges...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 6, 2024MEDIA CONTACT: San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | pdr-mediarelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** Charges Dismissed Against Black Crime Victim Who Was Wrongfully Charged and Jailed After MUNI Altercation (Please note photos below that corroborate our client’s account) SAN FRANCISCO — A San Francisco man spent two weeks in jail after being falsely...Read More
ICE’s action comes as people inside and outside detention protest worsening conditions at California facilities FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2024PRESS CONTACT: Jessie Seyfer, public relations officer | (628) 271-9800 | San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | pdr-mediarelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** Detained Individuals, Immigrant Advocates Condemn ICE Ending Free Legal Phone Calls ProgramICE’s action comes as...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2024CONTACT: S.F. Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** SAN FRANCISCO — Today, San Francisco community leaders held a press conference to denounce recent measures targeting the unhoused individuals. Speakers called for real and sustainable solutions to homelessness, emphasizing that criminalization is neither an effective nor humane approach. They demanded that San Francisco...Read More
Since 2020, more than double the number of people have died from overdoses in SF than from COVID. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2024MEDIA CONTACT: Lance Wilson (341) 203-0888; lance@theworkeragency.com **PRESS RELEASE** Collaborative Efforts in SF: Doctors and Public Health Experts Address Overdose EpidemicMore than double the number of people have died from overdoses in SF...Read More
Speakers say AB 2354 (Bonta) would help, as it would allow human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual violence survivors clear their records and move forward with their lives. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2024PRESS CONTACT: SF Public Defender Public Relations Officer Jessie Seyfer | (415) 851-2212 | jessie.seyfer@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** Care Providers, Violence Survivors Say...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2024MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** All Charges Dismissed Against William Palmer, SF Sheriff’s Dept. Oversight Board MemberPalmer spent five months in jail; DA dismissed case on the eve of trial SAN FRANCISCO — On April 2, the SF District Attorney’s Office dismissed all charges against William Palmer, a member of...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2024PRESS CONTACT: Rabiah Alicia Burks, r.burks@nlada.org, (202) 452-0620 Public Defense Chiefs Push Back on Misleading Crime NarrativesThat Are Driving Policy This Election YearSpeaking at Gideon Day press briefing, chiefs encourage reporters to speak to public defenders for better-informed stories, and discuss ways public defenders promote community safety WASHINGTON — Chief...Read More
**MEDIA ADVISORY** The State of Public Defense During a Crime-Focused Election Year On Gideon Day, public defense chiefs from across the U.S. will hold a virtual press briefing to commemorate the establishment of an accused person’s right to counsel and to challenge misleading narratives about crime WHAT: Public Defender chiefs from across the United States...Read More
