LA County Public Defenders Office

This month is Pride Disability Month! This July, we honored the courage and resilience of people with disabilities in our community. Together, we break down barriers and fight for equal rights and dignity for every member of our community.

Celebrating the end of summer with pics and pops in the park! This summer, 150 interns and law clerks joined our offices, and to mark the end of their programs, we enjoyed some some paletas in the park. Wishing you all the best in the next steps of your journey!

Criminalizing homelessness is not a solution

BREAKING: President Trump signed an executive order directing states to criminalize and institutionalize people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health disabilities.

LA County Public Defender responds to Attorney General’s call for receivership of County Juvenile Halls

Join us in welcoming a new class of Deputy Public Defenders! On day one, @rdg_lapubdef, Chief Deputy Justine Esack and Chief of Staff John Mathews welcomed the group and engaged in a Q&A panel discussion.

As Prop 36 cases continue to rise, we are seeing more and more signs that it is causing more harm than good - especially for communities of color. Public Defender Ricardo Garcia continues to speak out about the negative impacts of Prop 36 in Los Angeles County in a conversation with Black Voice News

Join the Nation’s oldest, largest, and finest indigent criminal defense agency as a Deputy Public Defender! We are looking for attorneys who are admitted with the California Bar Association to practice law in all courts in California to join our team of Public Defenders.

Join the Nation’s oldest, largest, and finest indigent criminal defense agency as a Psychiatric Social Worker! We are looking for social workers who have valid and active licenses (ACSW or LCSW) to join our team of Public Defenders.

We’ve partnered up with @comptoncityhall for a community Expungement Fair—supporting fresh starts and second chances. The event is designed to help individuals reclaim their future through the freedom of access to new opportunities. Call 310-603-7271 to make an appointment.

LA County has the highest filing rates of Prop 36 related charges in the state. We know Prop 36 isn’t serving its intended purpose - and it isn’t being applied evenly across the County.

Ricardo D. Garcia joins Hunter once again on the Publicdefenseless Podcast to discuss the backslide of criminal justice reform in LA County, including the return of the death penalty.

Link to full episode in bio 🔗

4th of July

Honoring the promise of liberty this Fourth of July—because justice should be as accessible as freedom. Our offices will be closed Friday, July 4th and will be resuming regular business hours Monday, July 7th.

In observance of Juneteenth, our offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19th. We will resume with regular business hours on Friday, June 20th.

Today, our office honors Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, as a celebration of liberation, hope, and the fight for equality. Let’s continue to uplift the legacy of resilience of Black communities as we pursue a future rooted in equality and justice.

🔉Conozca sus derechos si usted es arrestado 🔈

Our Mobile Homeless Unit is participating in Supervisor @hollyjmitchell Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair this Saturday! This event raises awareness of the historical impact of Juneteenth, connects residents to vital County and community services.

If you or someone you know has been arrested or detained by local law enforcement while participating in these demonstrations, we encourage you to contact our Rapid Response Team: 213-719-2801 or email PDRRT@pubdef.lacounty.gov

Everyone in LA County, regardless of immigration status, has guaranteed constitutional rights.
 
ℹ️ For more information and resources, visit the LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs: oia.lacounty.gov.

California Public Defenders Association Condemns ICE Raids, State Violence Against Protesters, and Stands in Solidarity with SEIU and Community Defenders

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! 📢
If you are arrested for protest-related activities, here’s what you need to know:

June is #pridemonth 🏳️‍🌈 Pride is a reminder of our responsibility to ensure that all people are treated with fairness, respect, and compassion. Our office remains committed uplifting every individual, including LGBTQ+ persons in the criminal legal system and beyond.

Know your rights if you are arrested:

Our very own @rdg_lapubdef was featured on Past Forward’s Chapters Podcast to discuss the prison reform in our current criminal legal system.

Honoring the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our service members and their families. This Memorial Day, we remember and give thanks. In observance of this holiday, our offices will be closed on Monday, May 26. We will resume with regular business hours on Tuesday, May 27.

Congratulations to Maureen Pacheco, CPDA's Champion of Justice Award Winner! As a Deputy Public Defender, Maureen has dedicated her career working with youth and will continue her work with the Los Angeles Public Defenders Office.

Congratulations to Adam Radwan, this year's recipient of the Rigoberto J. Arrechiga Youth Justice Award. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Adam accepted this award at our 43rd Annual Youth Defender and Advocate Training Seminar.

LA County Public Defender's Office Responds to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Court Ruling

Watch the senate hearing for Ricardo D. Garcia’s Testimony on the negative impact of Prop 36. Watch Now

Join the Nation’s oldest, largest, and finest indigent criminal defense agency as a Deputy Public Defender! We are looking for attorneys who are admitted with the California Bar Association to practice law in all courts in California to join our team of Public Defenders.