public defender Archives - Mission Local

A long hallway with people sitting on benches along the walls. One person is walking down the center. The hallway has various doors and overhead signs.

S.F. public defender says DA is still withholding evidence. No, you, says DA.

by Abigail Vân Neely December 10, 2025, 4:00 amDecember 19, 2025, 2:55 pm

People stand and sit in a busy hallway of a public building with beige walls, overhead lighting, electronic screens, and EXIT signs visible.

Caseload surge: S.F. private lawyers say they’re ‘second public defender’s office’

by Abigail Vân Neely October 29, 2025, 1:30 pmOctober 31, 2025, 12:11 pm

People wait and converse in a courthouse hallway with benches along the walls, officers present, and rooms numbered 10 to 13 visible.

S.F. controller to inspect rise in criminal cases that’s left courts overwhelmed

by Abigail Vân Neely October 24, 2025, 4:00 amOctober 29, 2025, 1:33 pm

A man with long hair looks frightened as he runs, with a judge, police officer, jurors, and a car with "PBIC DFDR" on the license plate in the background.

S.F. is taking lots of misdemeanor cases to trial. But not winning them.

by Joe Eskenazi August 25, 2025, 4:01 amAugust 26, 2025, 10:29 am

A group of students, some holding papers, stand in line on outdoor steps. Many have backpacks, and some are wearing hoodies. The setting appears to be a school entrance.

VC billionaire Michael Moritz’s foundation gives $3.4M to S.F. immigrant defense

by Joe Rivano Barros June 23, 2025, 12:01 pmJune 24, 2025, 12:30 pm

A group of people stand outside a building holding signs advocating for legal aid, with messages such as “Legal Aid Saves Lives” and “Legal Representation for All.”.

S.F. DA and public defender agree on one thing: Don’t cut free legal aid

by Marina Newman June 18, 2025, 8:05 pmJune 19, 2025, 12:45 pm

A person walks past a concrete wall with the inscription "San Francisco Civic Center Courthouse" on a city sidewalk.

S.F. judge accused of sexism, bias against female attorneys won’t hear case from his accuser

by Eleni Balakrishnan June 6, 2025, 1:11 pmJune 10, 2025, 11:01 am

A gray stone building with an American flag stands on a street corner, with blurred cars and cyclists passing by in the foreground.

S.F. judge accused of harassing female lawyers of color was quietly transferred. Now he’s back.

by Eleni Balakrishnan June 5, 2025, 10:30 amJune 5, 2025, 8:01 pm

Person in a red suit speaks at a podium against a plain white background.

S.F. DA has ‘pattern and practice’ of withholding evidence, public defenders allege

by Abigail Vân Neely May 23, 2025, 4:00 amMay 23, 2025, 12:58 pm

People stand in the rain outside a court building, some seeking shelter, while a large gavel and raindrops are overlaid on the scene.

New shoes, baby steps, and ‘too much to lose’ at Tenderloin community court

by Abigail Vân Neely February 20, 2025, 6:00 amOctober 9, 2025, 9:43 am

A long hallway with people sitting on benches along the walls. One person is walking down the center. The hallway has various doors and overhead signs.

At the Hall of Justice, defendants wait, judges plead, ‘This is your chance; I hope you take it’

by Abigail Vân Neely January 23, 2025, 6:00 amJanuary 31, 2025, 11:50 am

Eight people stand outdoors in front of greenery, some smiling, with a mix of business and casual attire, including sunglasses and a sunhat.

Covering the Police

25 years on, S.F. participants say ‘Clean Slate’ expungement program changed lives

by Erin Sheridan October 4, 2024, 11:18 amOctober 4, 2024, 4:45 pm

Three women released from prison thanks to the Freedom Project

CA set to cut Freedom Project, aimed at reducing mass incarceration

by Griffin Jones May 30, 2024, 11:08 amMay 30, 2024, 2:49 pm

five people in masks stand in front of boxes and shelves with essential resource hub supplies

Public Defender plans to offer ‘Clean Slate’ services at Mission resource hub

by Anlan Cheney December 3, 2021, 11:34 amJune 22, 2025, 12:36 pm