San Francisco Public Defender's Office
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
The official Bluesky account of the San Francisco Public Defender's Office. Fiercely defending individuals, confronting state violence, and advocating for community power. sfpublicdefender.org. https://linktr.ee/sfpublicdefender.
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
Had a blast speaking with members of the Leadership Academy about careers in public defense at Third Street Youth Center & Clinic! I always appreciate the opportunity to talk with young people about the impact they could make in public defense.
November 24, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Had a blast speaking with members of the Leadership Academy about careers in public defense at Third Street Youth Center & Clinic! I always appreciate the opportunity to talk with young people about the impact they could make in public defense.
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
Many thanks to the National Association for Public Defense for supporting of our office’s decision to declare unavailable in a limited number of cases. When understaffing and underfunding threaten quality representation, public defenders must decline new cases.
publicdefenders.us/blogs/napd-s...
publicdefenders.us/blogs/napd-s...
November 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Many thanks to the National Association for Public Defense for supporting of our office’s decision to declare unavailable in a limited number of cases. When understaffing and underfunding threaten quality representation, public defenders must decline new cases.
publicdefenders.us/blogs/napd-s...
publicdefenders.us/blogs/napd-s...
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
It was great to convene w/our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov College Pathway Project partners abt how we can support even more of our clients to access higher ed. Thx SFSU Project Rebound & CCSF New Directions for working w/pub def staff to ensure students who've been system-involved get higher ed opps.
November 18, 2025 at 10:39 PM
It was great to convene w/our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov College Pathway Project partners abt how we can support even more of our clients to access higher ed. Thx SFSU Project Rebound & CCSF New Directions for working w/pub def staff to ensure students who've been system-involved get higher ed opps.
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
✊ Know your rights. At the SF Immigrant Rights Commission, Immigration Unit mngr Jennifer Friedman highlighted our deportation defense work & Assist. Chief Attny Angela Chan gave recommendations to ensure law enforcement doesn’t aid ICE.
🎥 youtube.com/watch?v=mtx-GsWMGdc
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
🎥 youtube.com/watch?v=mtx-GsWMGdc
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission Special Hearing on October 27, 2025
YouTube video by SF Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs
youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:58 PM
✊ Know your rights. At the SF Immigrant Rights Commission, Immigration Unit mngr Jennifer Friedman highlighted our deportation defense work & Assist. Chief Attny Angela Chan gave recommendations to ensure law enforcement doesn’t aid ICE.
🎥 youtube.com/watch?v=mtx-GsWMGdc
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
🎥 youtube.com/watch?v=mtx-GsWMGdc
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
BREAKING NEWS: The Homecoming Project is expanding to San Francisco! (1/4)
Since 2018, the Homecoming Project has been transforming reentry experiences by placing people leaving prison after long sentences in warm, welcoming host homes in the community.
impactjustice.org/homecoming-project
Since 2018, the Homecoming Project has been transforming reentry experiences by placing people leaving prison after long sentences in warm, welcoming host homes in the community.
impactjustice.org/homecoming-project
Homecoming Project - Impact Justice
impactjustice.org
November 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
BREAKING NEWS: The Homecoming Project is expanding to San Francisco! (1/4)
Since 2018, the Homecoming Project has been transforming reentry experiences by placing people leaving prison after long sentences in warm, welcoming host homes in the community.
impactjustice.org/homecoming-project
Since 2018, the Homecoming Project has been transforming reentry experiences by placing people leaving prison after long sentences in warm, welcoming host homes in the community.
impactjustice.org/homecoming-project
We’re hiring misdemeanor & felony trial attorneys! Join one of the nation’s most respected public defender offices—fighting for justice, community power & our clients' rights. We seek attys committed to racial justice & to leveraging the law to uplift marginalized communities. tinyurl.com/PDRLawyer
October 30, 2025 at 9:52 PM
We’re hiring misdemeanor & felony trial attorneys! Join one of the nation’s most respected public defender offices—fighting for justice, community power & our clients' rights. We seek attys committed to racial justice & to leveraging the law to uplift marginalized communities. tinyurl.com/PDRLawyer
📢San Francisco has long been a sanctuary—a city that celebrates our values of care, dignity and collective safety.
Sign & share this petition to urge Sheriff Paul Miyamoto to honor this commitment & uphold our city’s Sanctuary Ordinance.✍️ bit.ly/upholdsfsanctuary
@iceoutofca.bsky.social #ICEoutofSF
Sign & share this petition to urge Sheriff Paul Miyamoto to honor this commitment & uphold our city’s Sanctuary Ordinance.✍️ bit.ly/upholdsfsanctuary
@iceoutofca.bsky.social #ICEoutofSF
Urge SF Sheriff to Uphold Sanctuary
From preparing for ICE raids to unpacking the surprise announcement from Mayor Lurie, this week has truly been a roller coaster. But one thing is clear: not one cent of our local tax dollars should ev...
bit.ly
October 24, 2025 at 11:13 PM
📢San Francisco has long been a sanctuary—a city that celebrates our values of care, dignity and collective safety.
Sign & share this petition to urge Sheriff Paul Miyamoto to honor this commitment & uphold our city’s Sanctuary Ordinance.✍️ bit.ly/upholdsfsanctuary
@iceoutofca.bsky.social #ICEoutofSF
Sign & share this petition to urge Sheriff Paul Miyamoto to honor this commitment & uphold our city’s Sanctuary Ordinance.✍️ bit.ly/upholdsfsanctuary
@iceoutofca.bsky.social #ICEoutofSF
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
If you've experienced a low-level traffic stop in San Francisco in the past three years, the Center for Policing Equity wants to hear about it for a study on the effects of traffic stops.
Details, including compensation and the link to sign up, in the flyer. 👇🏾
Details, including compensation and the link to sign up, in the flyer. 👇🏾
October 17, 2025 at 10:01 PM
If you've experienced a low-level traffic stop in San Francisco in the past three years, the Center for Policing Equity wants to hear about it for a study on the effects of traffic stops.
Details, including compensation and the link to sign up, in the flyer. 👇🏾
Details, including compensation and the link to sign up, in the flyer. 👇🏾
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
SF needs housing & care for our most vulnerable residents--NOT armed federal troops terrorizing our city. We will fiercely defend those who protest the injustices of this administration. Thx @us.theguardian.com, for including my response to Trump’s threats: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
October 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
SF needs housing & care for our most vulnerable residents--NOT armed federal troops terrorizing our city. We will fiercely defend those who protest the injustices of this administration. Thx @us.theguardian.com, for including my response to Trump’s threats: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
Our Young Defenders program—made possible by SF’s Opportunities for All—offers local high school students paid internships w/ our office to learn about the criminal legal system. In this video, Young Defender Joleen shares a key takeaway. Big thanks to intern Sai for their work on this video!
October 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Our Young Defenders program—made possible by SF’s Opportunities for All—offers local high school students paid internships w/ our office to learn about the criminal legal system. In this video, Young Defender Joleen shares a key takeaway. Big thanks to intern Sai for their work on this video!
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
The SF Superior Court has dismissed the police union’s lawsuit challenging SF’s landmark policy limiting police pretextual stops (i.e., traffic stops that police use as a “pretext” to detain & search people). The policy remains in effect! Know Your Rights: sfpublicdefender.org/2024/07/16/1...
The SFPD will keep its policy limiting pretext traffic stops that disproportionately target people of color — a judge this week dismissed a police union lawsuit attempting to undo it.
via @miss-elenius.bsky.social
missionlocal.org/2025/09/judg...
via @miss-elenius.bsky.social
missionlocal.org/2025/09/judg...
Judge dismisses S.F. police union suit targeting policy that limits traffic stops
Judge Joseph M. Quinn found "legal defects" in suit attempting to undermine San Francisco's policy limiting minor traffic stops
missionlocal.org
October 14, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The SF Superior Court has dismissed the police union’s lawsuit challenging SF’s landmark policy limiting police pretextual stops (i.e., traffic stops that police use as a “pretext” to detain & search people). The policy remains in effect! Know Your Rights: sfpublicdefender.org/2024/07/16/1...
Gov. Newsom has signed #AB321 into law! The #BIDAct will allow judges to review relevant evidence before deciding if a “wobbler” is a misdemeanor or felony. Enormous thx to co-sponsors Californians for Safety & Justice + author @asmnickschultz.bsky.social! More ➡️ sfpublicdefender.org/2025/10/11/t...
The BID Act, Signed Into Law, Will Improve Fairness in Criminal Charging Decisions
The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, along with Californians for Safety and Justice—co-sponsors of AB 321, the Better Informed Decisions (BID) Act—are celebrating that California Gov.
sfpublicdefender.org
October 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Gov. Newsom has signed #AB321 into law! The #BIDAct will allow judges to review relevant evidence before deciding if a “wobbler” is a misdemeanor or felony. Enormous thx to co-sponsors Californians for Safety & Justice + author @asmnickschultz.bsky.social! More ➡️ sfpublicdefender.org/2025/10/11/t...
We appreciate the Chinatown Community Development Center for their dedication to expanding affordable housing. 🏠 Our Assistant Chief Patti Lee had a great time at CCDC’s annual gala with Supervisors Chyanne Chen and Connie Chan and former Supervisor @thisisjanekim.bsky.social! 🙌
October 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
We appreciate the Chinatown Community Development Center for their dedication to expanding affordable housing. 🏠 Our Assistant Chief Patti Lee had a great time at CCDC’s annual gala with Supervisors Chyanne Chen and Connie Chan and former Supervisor @thisisjanekim.bsky.social! 🙌
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
Our Oct. 2025 featured community partner is the Latino Task Force. We partner with LTF to support clients who are immigrants or limited English proficient, and our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov Clean Slate team tables at LTF events to help people access services and work towards expungement. Thanks LTF!
October 4, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Our Oct. 2025 featured community partner is the Latino Task Force. We partner with LTF to support clients who are immigrants or limited English proficient, and our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov Clean Slate team tables at LTF events to help people access services and work towards expungement. Thanks LTF!
Thx to our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov Social Workers for making hygiene kits for our most vulnerable clients who visit our office. Many clients struggle w/meeting their basic needs & being system-involved is more destabilizing. The kits, sourced by staff contributions, offer them support & dignity.
September 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Thx to our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov Social Workers for making hygiene kits for our most vulnerable clients who visit our office. Many clients struggle w/meeting their basic needs & being system-involved is more destabilizing. The kits, sourced by staff contributions, offer them support & dignity.
Sign up for updates from our MAGIC teams in the Bayview & the Fillmore. Here are the latest community calendars w/resources supporting students, families, justice-involved community members and more!
*BMAGIC: t.e2ma.net/message/jjhh...
*Mo'MAGIC: t.e2ma.net/message/j7f4...
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
*BMAGIC: t.e2ma.net/message/jjhh...
*Mo'MAGIC: t.e2ma.net/message/j7f4...
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
September 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Sign up for updates from our MAGIC teams in the Bayview & the Fillmore. Here are the latest community calendars w/resources supporting students, families, justice-involved community members and more!
*BMAGIC: t.e2ma.net/message/jjhh...
*Mo'MAGIC: t.e2ma.net/message/j7f4...
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
*BMAGIC: t.e2ma.net/message/jjhh...
*Mo'MAGIC: t.e2ma.net/message/j7f4...
@sfpublicdefender.sf.gov
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
A wonderful time connecting w/community/civic leaders at the City Hall celebration of Latinx Heritage Month. In SF, our diversity is our strength. Congrats to honorees Rodrigo Lopez (Mission St. Vendor Assoc.), Claudia Arevali (SEIU Local 2015), & Dr. Estela Garcia (Instituto Familiar de la Raza).
September 23, 2025 at 12:07 AM
A wonderful time connecting w/community/civic leaders at the City Hall celebration of Latinx Heritage Month. In SF, our diversity is our strength. Congrats to honorees Rodrigo Lopez (Mission St. Vendor Assoc.), Claudia Arevali (SEIU Local 2015), & Dr. Estela Garcia (Instituto Familiar de la Raza).
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
This Latinx-Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our communities & their contributions to our country. Public defenders thank & join our community partners as we stand up for the rights & wellbeing of our families, friends & neighbors. #ImmigrantRightsAreHumanRights
September 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
This Latinx-Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our communities & their contributions to our country. Public defenders thank & join our community partners as we stand up for the rights & wellbeing of our families, friends & neighbors. #ImmigrantRightsAreHumanRights
Check out the latest community resource calendars from our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov MAGIC teams supporting youth development & healthy families. You can sign up to receive these regular updates.
Mo'MAGIC in the Fillmore: t.e2ma.net/message/b1dk...
BMAGIC in the Bayview:
t.e2ma.net/message/nybe...
Mo'MAGIC in the Fillmore: t.e2ma.net/message/b1dk...
BMAGIC in the Bayview:
t.e2ma.net/message/nybe...
September 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Check out the latest community resource calendars from our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov MAGIC teams supporting youth development & healthy families. You can sign up to receive these regular updates.
Mo'MAGIC in the Fillmore: t.e2ma.net/message/b1dk...
BMAGIC in the Bayview:
t.e2ma.net/message/nybe...
Mo'MAGIC in the Fillmore: t.e2ma.net/message/b1dk...
BMAGIC in the Bayview:
t.e2ma.net/message/nybe...
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
The death penalty is inhumane, racist & expensive—yet CA has the largest death row in the U.S.: 565 individuals. Join me Thurs 9/11, 2pm @ SF City Hall w/ "Dead Man Walking" author Sister Helen Prejean, @jackiefielder.bsky.social & others to urge @governor.ca.gov to commute ALL death row sentences.
September 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The death penalty is inhumane, racist & expensive—yet CA has the largest death row in the U.S.: 565 individuals. Join me Thurs 9/11, 2pm @ SF City Hall w/ "Dead Man Walking" author Sister Helen Prejean, @jackiefielder.bsky.social & others to urge @governor.ca.gov to commute ALL death row sentences.
Next stop: Gov’s desk! #AB321, the #BIDAct, passed out of the #CALeg. This bill would allow judges to review ALL relevant evidence before deciding if a “wobbler” is a misdemeanor or felony. Proud to co-sponsor w/Californians for Safety & Justice + big thx to author @asmnickschultz.bsky.social!
September 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Next stop: Gov’s desk! #AB321, the #BIDAct, passed out of the #CALeg. This bill would allow judges to review ALL relevant evidence before deciding if a “wobbler” is a misdemeanor or felony. Proud to co-sponsor w/Californians for Safety & Justice + big thx to author @asmnickschultz.bsky.social!
🎉#AB321—the Better Informed Decisions Act—just passed the CA Senate! ➡️ Next stop: Assembly concurrence. Proud to co-sponsor this bill w/Californians for Safety and Justice; It ensures judges can review all relevant evidence before deciding if a “wobbler” charge is a felony or misdemeanor. #CALeg
September 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
🎉#AB321—the Better Informed Decisions Act—just passed the CA Senate! ➡️ Next stop: Assembly concurrence. Proud to co-sponsor this bill w/Californians for Safety and Justice; It ensures judges can review all relevant evidence before deciding if a “wobbler” charge is a felony or misdemeanor. #CALeg
Reposted by San Francisco Public Defender's Office
Our September 2025 featured community partner is Project Rebound @sanfranciscostate.bsky.social which provides educational support to system-impacted students. Our College Pathway Project encourages @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov staff to refer clients interested in higher education & new possibilities.
September 4, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Our September 2025 featured community partner is Project Rebound @sanfranciscostate.bsky.social which provides educational support to system-impacted students. Our College Pathway Project encourages @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov staff to refer clients interested in higher education & new possibilities.
We @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov appreciate Susan Bustamante and other survivors of domestic violence/trafficking who remind us why #AB938 ( @asmmiabonta.bsky.social ) is so badly needed. Survivors deserve fairness in court and our office has been a proud co-sponsor of this bill. #JusticeforSurvivors
Commentary:
I had survived years of childhood sexual abuse by my father, followed by a violently abusive marriage. For years my husband beat me, threatened me, forced me into isolation and even forced me to have an abortion. https://cal.news/4mf68lj
📝 Susan Bustamante
I had survived years of childhood sexual abuse by my father, followed by a violently abusive marriage. For years my husband beat me, threatened me, forced me into isolation and even forced me to have an abortion. https://cal.news/4mf68lj
📝 Susan Bustamante
California law silences abuse victims in court. Why won't the Legislature change this? | Opinion
California courts often restrict defendants who are abuse victims from using evidence of violence against them as a defense.
cal.news
September 4, 2025 at 12:09 AM
We @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov appreciate Susan Bustamante and other survivors of domestic violence/trafficking who remind us why #AB938 ( @asmmiabonta.bsky.social ) is so badly needed. Survivors deserve fairness in court and our office has been a proud co-sponsor of this bill. #JusticeforSurvivors