Yolo County Public Defender and CPDA President Tracie Olson was quoted in the Daily Journal for a story on the untenable workload for public defenders brought on by Prop 36. Read more here: www.dailyjournal.com/articles/388...

Los Angeles County Assistant Public Defender and CPDA Board Member Graciela Martinez spoke with the Los Angeles Public Press about her office’s new removal defense unit - created specifically to take on federal deportation cases. Read more here: lapublicpress.org/2025/12/la-p...

A SEASON OF GRATITUDE As we enter a season of reflection, we at CPDA are looking back at where have been and where we are now. The work of public defenders in the courts and in the Capitol and in county government has paid dividends in people's lives. We are grateful. We are not satisfied.

Another poster portrait commission in the PUBLIC DEFENDER IN ACTION series. This one in San Diego and begging the question, what if we just put all of city center on the cover? #publicdefenders #comicart #coverart #portrait #commission

I was one of the many #PublicDefenders in #Idaho who resigned recently. Idaho’s elected leaders must acknowledge the crisis our public defense system is in and remedy it.

@npr.org had some good episodes for #GreySky last week. #DisasterScience #NewOrleans #PublicDefenders #Systems #Podcasts #ConsiderThis

www.lawyeroyer.com/p/public-def... #publicdefenders #publicdefendersofbluesky

This week’s Member Spotlight is on Landon Davis, Deputy Public Defender with the San Francisco Public Defender's Office. “I entered this profession to give voice to those who are too often unheard,” says Davis, who has been a public defender for 15 years. Read more here: bit.ly/4p5gDd3

CPDA Executive Director Kate Chatfield was quoted in The New York Times discussing the ramifications of prosecutors using AI in their briefing to courts. CPDA sponsored SB 54, which requires police to disclose if they used AI in their police reports. Read more: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...

CPDA was quoted in an article by Cap Radio on opposing the passage of AB 383. The law restricts juveniles that have been adjudicated for certain offenses from owning firearms until they are at least 25 years old. Read more here: www.capradio.org/articles/202...

LA County Public Defender and CPDA member Ricardo Garcia was quoted by Daily Journal – Cal Lawyer about the LA Alternate Public Defender's office’s decision to decline 80+ homicide cases over the past several months, owing to both lack of staff + funding. Link: dailyjournal.com/article/3884...

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 [email protected], 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

This November 2025, our office will be providing services at various locations around LA County! For more information click the link in our bio 🔗

Recently on NPR, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office was highlighted for its groundbreaking Neurocognitive Disorders Team — one of the only units of its kind in the nation. Our NDT team works with clients whose cognitive disabilities have gone unidentified for most of their lives.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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

"Opponents, including the California Public Defenders Association, worry that will allow cities to tow too broadly, and remove much-needed shelter from California’s homeless population."

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

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

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...

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.

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 [email protected], 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

CPDA was included in a statement from Assemblymember Mia Bonta on the signing of AB 1261 into law: “AB 1261 reflects California’s leadership in advancing justice and reaffirms the essential role of public defenders in protecting the rights of the most vulnerable." Read more: shorturl.at/FXmVQ

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...

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

“Chief public defenders cannot be truly independent if their employment depends on whether their advocacy offends those in power,” said Kate Chatfield. “The fight is not over,” she continued. “CPDA will work...to bring back these protections.” Read more: davisvanguard.org/2025/10/sb48...

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...

California Public Defenders Association Celebrates Governor’s Signing of SB 524, Milestone for Transparency and Accountability in Police Reporting. Read more: shorturl.at/gskIz

This week's CPDA Member Spotlight is on Jess McPeake, Deputy Public Defender for the San Francisco Public Defender's Office. "I get to actively participate every day for the community that I still hope we can be.” Read more: shorturl.at/BBtea

We have several events planned for Fall! Learn more about each event and register: cpda.memberclicks.net/upcoming-trainings

BREAKING: The First Circuit rejects Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. In the New Jersey-led multistate case, the appeals court, in a 100-page ruling, keeps the nationwide scope of the injunction blocking the EO in place. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

We are excited to announce the arrival of new merch for CPDA! Pick up a tote bag for $20 or a mug for $25 at our in-person seminars this fall, starting with the Mental Health & Civil Commitment Training Seminar, Oct. 17 at UC Berkeley. Register: cpda.memberclicks.net/upcoming-tra...

CPDA is supporting #SB634, a bill that would stop local + state governments from charging the homeless and/or those helping them w/civil or criminal penalties. This makes it clear: cities can't block life-saving outreach & services for people experiencing homelessness. Read: tinyurl.com/4nyschsr

Yeah, this is illegal. Full story: www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...

This week's Member Spotlight is on Dominique Anderson, Assoc. Dep. Public Defender for Alameda County Public Defenders Office. “I am a public defender because I believe in what I do. I believe that everyone has a right to great representation and I aspire to be that." Read more: shorturl.at/MRHiE

CPDA members and defense team professionals are invited to register for Criminal Immigration Training Week, October 20-23, 2025. Learn about ethical duties, mandatory detention, sentencing issues, community resources + more from leaders in the crim. immigration system. Register: shorturl.at/j3dCS

Next month, CPDA will be debuting a new series, “What is a public defender?” where we answer all of your questions about the work and practice of public defenders in California. Send your questions to [email protected] by Wednesday, October 8, and stay tuned for more information! #WhatIsAPublicDefender