California Public Defenders Association
@calpublicdefenders.bsky.social
CPDA is proud to be the leading professional organization for California's public defenders and criminal defense community.
Welcome to the next installment of our CPDA series “What is a public defender?” This week’s question we are answering is “Who pays public defenders?”
Submit your questions to cpda@cpda.org, and we’ll return soon with a new question!
Submit your questions to cpda@cpda.org, and we’ll return soon with a new question!
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Welcome to the next installment of our CPDA series “What is a public defender?” This week’s question we are answering is “Who pays public defenders?”
Submit your questions to cpda@cpda.org, and we’ll return soon with a new question!
Submit your questions to cpda@cpda.org, and we’ll return soon with a new question!
This week's CPDA Member Spotlight is on Hien N. Nguyen, Assistant Public Defender in the Alameda County Public Defender's Office. “I became a public defender to help and stand with people in need,” he says. Read more here: shorturl.at/P6oBv
November 19, 2025 at 6:28 PM
This week's CPDA Member Spotlight is on Hien N. Nguyen, Assistant Public Defender in the Alameda County Public Defender's Office. “I became a public defender to help and stand with people in need,” he says. Read more here: shorturl.at/P6oBv
On the week of December 9, CPDA is hosting the online training, “2026 New Statutes and Practice Updates.” It will take place Mon-Tues. December 9-10 and Thurs-Fri. December 12-13. There will be no training on Wednesday December 11. For more info and to register, visit www.cpda.org/upcoming-tra...
November 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
On the week of December 9, CPDA is hosting the online training, “2026 New Statutes and Practice Updates.” It will take place Mon-Tues. December 9-10 and Thurs-Fri. December 12-13. There will be no training on Wednesday December 11. For more info and to register, visit www.cpda.org/upcoming-tra...
CPDA executive director Kate Chatfield spoke to the San Luis Obispo tribune about SLO District Attorney Dan Dow’s racist statements and behavior, following the statement we issued yesterday on this matter.
Read more: www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/a...
Read more: www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/a...
November 14, 2025 at 9:00 PM
CPDA executive director Kate Chatfield spoke to the San Luis Obispo tribune about SLO District Attorney Dan Dow’s racist statements and behavior, following the statement we issued yesterday on this matter.
Read more: www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/a...
Read more: www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/a...
LA County Public Defender and CPDA Member Noah Cox and Los Angeles Chief Public Defender and CPDA Board Member Ricardo Garcia were profiled in an NPR story on creating a neurocognitive disorder team in their office.
Read more: www.npr.org/2025/11/01/n...
Read more: www.npr.org/2025/11/01/n...
November 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
LA County Public Defender and CPDA Member Noah Cox and Los Angeles Chief Public Defender and CPDA Board Member Ricardo Garcia were profiled in an NPR story on creating a neurocognitive disorder team in their office.
Read more: www.npr.org/2025/11/01/n...
Read more: www.npr.org/2025/11/01/n...
Statement from CPDA Condemning Racist Statements From San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow - Nov. 13, 2025:
November 13, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Statement from CPDA Condemning Racist Statements From San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow - Nov. 13, 2025:
CPDA Executive Director Kate Chatfield was quoted in an article by CEB on the passage of AB 572, which calls for officers to inform family members of their loved one’s death or injury by police before interviewing them. Read more: (create account to read in full): research.ceb.com/posts/califo...
November 12, 2025 at 6:21 PM
CPDA Executive Director Kate Chatfield was quoted in an article by CEB on the passage of AB 572, which calls for officers to inform family members of their loved one’s death or injury by police before interviewing them. Read more: (create account to read in full): research.ceb.com/posts/califo...
CPDA is collecting information about arrests in and around state courts by immigration agents. If you have witnessed any action by federal agents in and around state courthouses, please fill out this form.
Form link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Form link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 10, 2025 at 9:54 PM
CPDA is collecting information about arrests in and around state courts by immigration agents. If you have witnessed any action by federal agents in and around state courthouses, please fill out this form.
Form link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Form link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
CPDA board president and Yolo County Public Defender Tracie Olson was quoted in a Law 360 article regarding the impacts of the government shutdown for public defenders.
Read more: www.law360.com/articles/240...
Read more: www.law360.com/articles/240...
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
CPDA board president and Yolo County Public Defender Tracie Olson was quoted in a Law 360 article regarding the impacts of the government shutdown for public defenders.
Read more: www.law360.com/articles/240...
Read more: www.law360.com/articles/240...
This week's CPDA Member Spotlight is on Janae Torrez, Deputy Public Defender in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office.
“Every day reminds me that dignity and compassion belong to everyone, and I’m grateful to be part of that fight.”
Read more: shorturl.at/C9dR4
“Every day reminds me that dignity and compassion belong to everyone, and I’m grateful to be part of that fight.”
Read more: shorturl.at/C9dR4
November 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM
This week's CPDA Member Spotlight is on Janae Torrez, Deputy Public Defender in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office.
“Every day reminds me that dignity and compassion belong to everyone, and I’m grateful to be part of that fight.”
Read more: shorturl.at/C9dR4
“Every day reminds me that dignity and compassion belong to everyone, and I’m grateful to be part of that fight.”
Read more: shorturl.at/C9dR4
CPDA Executive Director Kate Chatfield and Board Member and LA County Chief Public Defender Ricardo Garcia were quoted in a story from the Los Angeles Daily News on the one-year anniversary of Prop. 36 being voted into law.
Read more here:
www.dailynews.com/2025/11/02/p...
Read more here:
www.dailynews.com/2025/11/02/p...
November 3, 2025 at 8:43 PM
CPDA Executive Director Kate Chatfield and Board Member and LA County Chief Public Defender Ricardo Garcia were quoted in a story from the Los Angeles Daily News on the one-year anniversary of Prop. 36 being voted into law.
Read more here:
www.dailynews.com/2025/11/02/p...
Read more here:
www.dailynews.com/2025/11/02/p...
Latest statement from CPDA: One Year After Prop. 36 Passes, Incarceration is Increasing, Treatment is Not.
November 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Latest statement from CPDA: One Year After Prop. 36 Passes, Incarceration is Increasing, Treatment is Not.
Thanks to everyone who came to the Mental Health + Civil Commitment Practice Seminar! We had a great day of learning about the intersection of criminal law + mental health systems. There's still time to register for the Felony Trial Practice Seminar, happening Nov. 7-8 in Yosemite: shorturl.at/adXKd
October 31, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Thanks to everyone who came to the Mental Health + Civil Commitment Practice Seminar! We had a great day of learning about the intersection of criminal law + mental health systems. There's still time to register for the Felony Trial Practice Seminar, happening Nov. 7-8 in Yosemite: shorturl.at/adXKd
Latest Statement From CPDA Denouncing the Federal Funding Lapse Harming Indigent Defense:
October 30, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Latest Statement From CPDA Denouncing the Federal Funding Lapse Harming Indigent Defense:
This week's Member Spotlight is on Zachary Kitaynik, Deputy Public Defender in the Alameda County Public Defender's
Office.
"I find it a privilege to stand with my clients at their worst times...and fight back."
Read more: shorturl.at/wMkN0
Office.
"I find it a privilege to stand with my clients at their worst times...and fight back."
Read more: shorturl.at/wMkN0
October 29, 2025 at 5:14 PM
This week's Member Spotlight is on Zachary Kitaynik, Deputy Public Defender in the Alameda County Public Defender's
Office.
"I find it a privilege to stand with my clients at their worst times...and fight back."
Read more: shorturl.at/wMkN0
Office.
"I find it a privilege to stand with my clients at their worst times...and fight back."
Read more: shorturl.at/wMkN0
CPDA ED Kate Chatfield was quoted by KVPR on the implementation of SB 524, which requires that police officers disclose when they are using AI to write police reports.
Read more: shorturl.at/C3UBg
Read more: shorturl.at/C3UBg
October 27, 2025 at 5:18 PM
CPDA ED Kate Chatfield was quoted by KVPR on the implementation of SB 524, which requires that police officers disclose when they are using AI to write police reports.
Read more: shorturl.at/C3UBg
Read more: shorturl.at/C3UBg
CPDA Board President Tracie Olson was quoted for a story by the Courthouse News Service on the president’s decision to not pursue his plan to send the National Guard to San Francisco for immigration enforcement.
Read more: courthousenews.com/san-francisc...
Read more: courthousenews.com/san-francisc...
October 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
CPDA Board President Tracie Olson was quoted for a story by the Courthouse News Service on the president’s decision to not pursue his plan to send the National Guard to San Francisco for immigration enforcement.
Read more: courthousenews.com/san-francisc...
Read more: courthousenews.com/san-francisc...
SEIU California and SEIU-USWW President David Huerta was arrested while peacefully exercising his constitutional rights at an ICE raid. 4 months later, he faces a retaliatory misdemeanor charge. This is revenge disguised as law enforcement -- and marks a dangerous precedent. We #StandWithDavid.
October 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
SEIU California and SEIU-USWW President David Huerta was arrested while peacefully exercising his constitutional rights at an ICE raid. 4 months later, he faces a retaliatory misdemeanor charge. This is revenge disguised as law enforcement -- and marks a dangerous precedent. We #StandWithDavid.
CPDA and its members across California stand united with immigrant communities, labor partners, and local leaders demanding the immediate withdrawal of CBP agents from the Bay Area. California’s commitment to justice and sanctuary cannot coexist with the federal militarization of our streets.
October 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
CPDA and its members across California stand united with immigrant communities, labor partners, and local leaders demanding the immediate withdrawal of CBP agents from the Bay Area. California’s commitment to justice and sanctuary cannot coexist with the federal militarization of our streets.
Welcome to the next installment of our CPDA series “What is a public defender?”
This week’s question we are answering is “What would a world without public defenders look like?”
Submit your questions to cpda@cpda.org, and we’ll return soon with a new question!
This week’s question we are answering is “What would a world without public defenders look like?”
Submit your questions to cpda@cpda.org, and we’ll return soon with a new question!
October 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Welcome to the next installment of our CPDA series “What is a public defender?”
This week’s question we are answering is “What would a world without public defenders look like?”
Submit your questions to cpda@cpda.org, and we’ll return soon with a new question!
This week’s question we are answering is “What would a world without public defenders look like?”
Submit your questions to cpda@cpda.org, and we’ll return soon with a new question!
CPDA' Executive Director spoke to Mission Local about the possibility of the National Guard coming to San Francisco:
National Guard troops can provide a “cover” for these other federal entities to make arrests, said Kate Chatfield, executive director.
Read more: shorturl.at/xWQoP
National Guard troops can provide a “cover” for these other federal entities to make arrests, said Kate Chatfield, executive director.
Read more: shorturl.at/xWQoP
October 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
CPDA' Executive Director spoke to Mission Local about the possibility of the National Guard coming to San Francisco:
National Guard troops can provide a “cover” for these other federal entities to make arrests, said Kate Chatfield, executive director.
Read more: shorturl.at/xWQoP
National Guard troops can provide a “cover” for these other federal entities to make arrests, said Kate Chatfield, executive director.
Read more: shorturl.at/xWQoP
CPDA ED Kate Chatfield was quoted in an article by the Continuing Education of the Bar on AB 248, a bill on new legislation that allows counties to raise wages for incarcerated county jail workers. This ends the cap of $2.00 for 8 hours of work.
Read (paywalled): research.ceb.com/posts/new-ca...
Read (paywalled): research.ceb.com/posts/new-ca...
October 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
CPDA ED Kate Chatfield was quoted in an article by the Continuing Education of the Bar on AB 248, a bill on new legislation that allows counties to raise wages for incarcerated county jail workers. This ends the cap of $2.00 for 8 hours of work.
Read (paywalled): research.ceb.com/posts/new-ca...
Read (paywalled): research.ceb.com/posts/new-ca...
Reminder! There's still time to register for next month's 2025 Felony Trial Practice Seminar at Yosemite, “Blue Lies Matter: Confronting Police Misconduct.” Click here to register: lnkd.in/gJkrum2V
October 15, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reminder! There's still time to register for next month's 2025 Felony Trial Practice Seminar at Yosemite, “Blue Lies Matter: Confronting Police Misconduct.” Click here to register: lnkd.in/gJkrum2V
As the Prop 36 study continues to resonate, CPDA executive director Kate Chatfield was quoted in this CalMatters article regarding the lack of treatment available to those who are incarcerated:
“There’s no indication that anything will change,” she said.
Read more: calmatters.org/justice/2025...
“There’s no indication that anything will change,” she said.
Read more: calmatters.org/justice/2025...
October 15, 2025 at 5:03 PM
As the Prop 36 study continues to resonate, CPDA executive director Kate Chatfield was quoted in this CalMatters article regarding the lack of treatment available to those who are incarcerated:
“There’s no indication that anything will change,” she said.
Read more: calmatters.org/justice/2025...
“There’s no indication that anything will change,” she said.
Read more: calmatters.org/justice/2025...
California Public Defenders Association Celebrates Governor’s Signing of SB 524, Milestone for Transparency and Accountability in Police Reporting. Read more: shorturl.at/gskIz
October 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
California Public Defenders Association Celebrates Governor’s Signing of SB 524, Milestone for Transparency and Accountability in Police Reporting. Read more: shorturl.at/gskIz