Alameda CA Public Defender Job Cuts Mean Cases Refused

In June we reported that Alameda County, California would cut 15 people in the Public Defender’s Office. The cuts will reduce headcount at the office to 88.

Now, in anticipation of those cuts, which take effect in September, the county’s public defenders have stopped taking some out-of-custody misdemeanor and probation violation cases, declaring conflicts of interest based on overload.

San Francisco’s PD has also started declining to defend complex cases.

The cases refused by public defenders are referred to private counsel. These private lawyers cost more than the salaries of the lawyers to be laid off.

In March, California’s 1st District Court of Appeal rules that PDs overwhelmed with new cases should decline some, amongst other steps to ensure those cases accepted can be defended properly.