To honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, the ‘beautiful community’ came out to show our relentless dedication to justice for all. Thanks so much to the SF Interfaith Council for the inspirational gathering to connect with one another on the work ahead. #MLK

🚨ICE has spent millions trying to recruit local police and sheriffs. And right now, nothing in state law prevents local officers from taking “side jobs” as deportation agents. AB 1537 by @isaacgbryan.bsky.social will CLOSE this loophole. We’re proud to sponsor this important bill. 🧵

First week of January 2026 @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov in the news: •uplifting benefits of Drug Court expansion @sfchronicle.com •seeking corrections @abc7.bsky.social & @nbcbayarea.com • providing updates & condolences re: stabbing of social worker at SF General @kqednews.kqed.org @missionlocal.org

We mourn Renee Nicole Good, killed by ICE in Minnesota. This murder is a painful reminder that ICE is a violent and unaccountable agency that has long terrorized immigrant communities and torn families apart. SF stands firm in Sanctuary and supports ICE-Free Zones and CA AB 1537.

Our Young Defender 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 Zachariah shares a key takeaway. Big thanks to intern Sai for their work on this video!

It was great to see @aclu-norcal.bsky.social Exec Director Abdi Soltani & Stand Together Contra Costa Director Ali Saidi at the Iranian American Bar Association’s national gala! Proud to honor Iranian American attys and to celebrate orgs working to safeguard everyone’s Constitutional & human rights.

Our Young Defender 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 Amir shares a key takeaway. Big thanks to intern Sai for their work on this video!

Yesterday, we delivered a community demand letter from 30+ orgs to SF leaders following the mass strip search of women in jail. The demands call for accountability, survivor support, independent investigation, and real oversight. Read and share our letter.

It was a magical evening w/a packed house at the Roxie Theater for the screening of 3 films from the Adachi Project’s new “DEFENDER–Off the Record” series. We were honored to have our clients who were featured in the films & filmmakers from Even/Odd join a panel w/moderator @bootsriley.bsky.social.

As Public Defenders, we understand that the fear of immigration enforcement can keep families from schools, clinics & essential services. City buildings must be places of dignity—not detention. Proud to support Sups. @bilalmahmood.bsky.social and Chyanne Chen’s ICE-Free Zones Ordinance. #ICEoutofSF

The Adachi Project is back with 'DEFENDER—Off the Record' — a new series of short films about @sfpublicdefender clients: Sal, Prezi, and Julia. Join us for a special screening 12/2 at 6pm; $10 tix available at Roxie.com. Followed by a panel moderated by Boots Riley w/film subjects & filmmakers.

Today on #WorldAIDSDay, we reaffirm: health care, not punishment. We stand with communities most impacted by HIV and continue fighting for equity, housing, treatment access, and dignity. @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov

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.

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...

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.

We stand in solidarity with SF’s court clerks — whose work keeps our courts running. Like our office, they’ve been stretched thin by rising case filings and growing workloads. We deeply appreciate their commitment to access to justice. Read more from @missionlocal.org: bit.ly/courtclerks.

✊ 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

Now, we're building on our success in the East Bay (and Los Angeles!) to bring our groundbreaking model to San Francisco — and we're partnering with @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov to build a network of San Francisco residents willing to open their homes to someone returning from prison. (2/4)

Thx to @seattleulaw.bsky.social Profs. Robert Boruchowitz & @ucirvinelaw.bsky.social Robert Chang for their @dailyjournalcorp.bsky.social op-ed on how underfunding of public defenders vs. law enforcement undermines fairness for indigent, BIPOC people. 📖 tinyurl.com/PubDefDJ ⚖️ #FundPublicDefense

🎃 Happy Halloween from @sfpublicdefender and our amazing Magic Programs — @mo_magic415 and @bayviewmagic — who are out spreading joy with the children and families we serve! Wishing everyone a safe, fun, and magical night. 💜🕸️👻

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

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. 👇🏾

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...

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!

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...

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! 🙌

I was honored to help kickoff anti-human trafficking awareness month at S.F. Collaborative Against Human Trafficking. We @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov have been educating about labor trafficking/exploitation in jury trials and in public policy arenas.

Wonderful evening last night at the @cwclub.bsky.social discussing Second Chances w/the inspiring panel of Reverend Sonya Brunswick of Greater Life Foursquare Church, Eddy Zheng of the New Breath Foundation, and moderator Supe. Shamann Walton. Thanks to Virginia Cheung for organizing the panel.

Tonight at @cwclub.bsky.social in San Francisco: • 6 PM PDT / The Art of Second Chances: Community-Led Pathways to Justice and Prosperity With @manorajupd.bsky.social Sonya Brunswick, Eddy Zheng, and moderator Shamann Walton Details & tickets: commonwealthclub.org/events

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

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).

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

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!

Much appreciation to #BIDAct author @asmnickschultz.bsky.social. Check out our infographic to learn more about why the BID Act is needed.

When prosecutors overcharge cases but dismiss the case just before trial, it demonstrates how DAs regularly charge cases based on evidence that won’t hold up to a jury’s scrutiny. It also shows how public defenders are critical to preserving fairness in our courts. #FundPublicDefense

#AB468 is a distraction exploiting the #LAfires. It increases penalties in our communities & doesn't invest in fire preparedness or $ assistance to fire victims. Urge #CAleg to prioritize #PreparednessOverPunishment and reject #AB468! ‪Take Action: bit.ly/oppose-ab468 @ellabakercenter.bsky.social

🚨 We’re excited about the new CA Police Records Access Project from @ucbids.bsky.social — a public database tracking police violence & misconduct across CA. It's a big step for transparency & for helping communities stay informed about officers' past misconduct. Check it out: 🔎 clean.calmatters.org

It was wonderful to catch up with Santa Barbara County Assistant Public Defender Lea Villegas. Fun fact -- she used to be an intern with our @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov office years ago. Congrats on your many accomplishments Lea!

Honored to speak last week at S.F. City Hall to celebrate South Asian History Month, a month dedicated to commemorating the rich history and contributions of Bay Area immigrants from the Maldives, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and India. 🧵 youtu.be/ovNyTE4jGQw

In remembrance of Mario Woods, who should have turned 36 this week. His mother, Ms. Woods, is one of the strongest & most inspiring people that I know. 🧵 youtu.be/5ywlmuNHfMk?...

Many thx to Safety & Justice Network & ‪ @pretrialjustice.bsky.social for the opportunity to speak on the “Challenging the Harmful Use of Bench Warrants” webinar. I was honored to talk about how courts can end the inequitable practice of jailing people who miss court: sjcexchange.org/viewdocument...

It was a joy to meet w/our Brightstar fellows to kick off a project where system-impacted leaders will develop a proposal to create job pathways for @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov clients. We believe in the potential & possibilities for our clients to thrive. Thanks to @macfound.org for your support.

Huge thx to @pdefenselesspod.bsky.social for featuring our innovative SF Public Defenders in *3* recent episodes! 🔹Hayley Upshaw: The devastating impact of crimmigration on kids 🔹Angela Chan: The legacy of CA sanctuary laws 🔹Sujung Kim & Lilah Wolf: A groundbreaking RJA win 👉👉publicdefenseless.com

See this week’s Mo’MAGIC community resource calendar — financial support for education, legal/justice matters + expungements, mental health, tech support, jobs, community events, and more! Click here & scroll to the bottom to opt in to receive these weekly newsletters: t.e2ma.net/message/bhen...

San Francisco has one of the strongest policies in the U.S. to curb racially-biased traffic stops. Pretext stops are dangerous + ineffective—and SFPD is now limited in using them. Learn more + know your rights: tinyurl.com/KYRPretext + EndBiasedStopsSF.org