Prosecutors tried to eke a felony plea out of an unhoused man who defended himself against a drunk security guard who challenged him to an alley fight. Instead, he demanded a trial. Public Defender Tal Klement pushed for a dismissal, and prosecutors finally saw that they had no case.Read More
San Francisco jury verdicts in three cases reveal a troubling pattern: vulnerable San Franciscans are being jailed and prosecuted based on weak or misunderstood evidence, rather than offered help. Juries saw through the flaws in the prosecutions and acquitted individuals who should never have been charged.Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** S.F. Man Shot by Police with Projectiles from a ‘Modified Grenade Launcher’ Acquitted of Felony Charges SAN FRANCISCO — A San Francisco jury has acquitted Bryan Soper, 50, of felony charges that stemmed from SFPD officers’ rush to use force on him. On July...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** SF Public Defenders Win First Racial Justice Act Motion in San Francisco Judge grants motion finding implicit bias with police officer’s testimony SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Public Defenders have won the first California Racial Justice Act (RJA) motion in San Francisco since the...Read More
On Feb. 19, 2025, elected San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju gave our office’s annual community budget presentation. PD Raju discussed our office’s critical work defending more than 20,000 indigent clients per year, and our services that strengthen communities. Learn about our budget and priorities for 2025-2026 that will allow us to continue pursuing justice...Read More
Police union’s suit challenges new policy that limits pretext stops FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 5, 2025PRESS CONTACT: Public Relations Officer Jessie Seyfer | pdr-mediarelations@sfgov.org | (628) 271-9800 SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office has filed an amicus brief joining the City of San Francisco as it fights a lawsuit brought by the SF Police Officers Association regarding...Read More
Body-worn camera footage shows officers shoved, knocked to the ground, and ridiculed a woman who was on her way to work FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 18, 2024PRESS CONTACT: Public Relations Officer Jessie Seyfer | pdr-mediarelations@sfgov.org | (628) 271-9800 SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco police in riot gear repeatedly shoved a woman, violently tackled her to...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 12, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: SF Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** S.F. Public Defender’s MAGIC Programs Celebrate 20 Years of Service to Youth & Families in the Bayview and Fillmore Districts SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office gathered with community partners to celebrate 20 years of...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 1, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS RELEASE** SF Public Defenders Condemn Latest Courthouse Arrest of 9-Months-Pregnant Woman SF District Attorney & SFPD continue to collude with Feds to target immigrant mothers, circumvent due process, and violate Sanctuary Ordinance SAN FRANCISCO — On Oct. 24, SFPD officers carried out a surprise arrest...Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 31, 2024MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | Public Relations Officer Jessie Seyfer | (628) 271-9800 **PRESS RELEASE** Jury Acquits Legally Blind Man for Second Time in Two YearsCharles Underwood, who is unhoused, was arrested after a man kicked the boxes he was sleeping in SAN FRANCISCO — For the second time in two years, a San Francisco...Read More
