News and Press Releases

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 could also be dismissed on...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: PDR-MediaRelations@sfgov.org **PRESS STATEMENT** SF Public Defenders Say Charges Against Bridge Protesters Should be Dropped SAN FRANCISCO – On Saturday, August 10, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced multiple charges against 26 protesters who were demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to military aid to the state of Israel on the...

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 stemming from a Feb. 24...

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 accused of assault and other...

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 people inside and outside detention...