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

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: October 4, 2024 MEDIA CONTACTS:  Jessie Seyfer | SF Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org | (628) 271-9800 Will Matthews | Californians for Safety and Justice | will@safeandjust.org **PRESS RELEASE** San Francisco Public Defender’s Office Celebrates 25 Years of its Clean Slate Expungement Program State laws recently expanded eligibility for cleaning up criminal...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: June 27, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS STATEMENT** SF Public Defender Applauds Restoration of State’s Public Defender Pilot Program and Urges Permanent Funding SAN FRANCISCO, CA – This week, the California State Legislature and Governor reached an agreement that restores funding to the Public Defender Pilot...Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2024 PRESS CONTACT: San Francisco Public Defender’s Office | pdr-mediarelations@sfgov.org     **PRESS RELEASE** San Francisco Public Defender’s Office Urges Gov. Newsom to Restore Resentencing Funding The CA Legislature requested last week that the governor restore this effective program, which reunites families and saves taxpayers millions. SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco...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