Criminal
Nov. 5, 2025
San Francisco public defender says it has 470 unrepresented cases since May
San Francisco public defender's report 470 unrepresented cases since May due to lawyer shortages, rising felony and misdemeanor caseloads, as judge holds hearings addressing constitutional and staffing concerns.
The San Francisco Public Defender's office has not been able to provide representation for 470 misdemeanor and felony cases since May, when it declared itself "unavailable" one day per week for indigent criminal clients because of a lawyer shortage, the office's assistant chief attorney told a judge.
Hadi Razzaq spoke at a hearing Tuesday, held by Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman into the escalating crisis the public defender's office says it is facing beca...
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