Sacramento County Office of the Public Defender

The Office of the Public Defender was established in the County of Sacramento in 1948. We provide quality legal representation and/or advice to any individual financially unable to employ counsel in adult criminal, juvenile delinquency, mental conservatorship, appropriate family law, and probate cases. Providing the defense of over 30,000 cases, our staff consists of over 145 employees. The goal in the defense of all cases is to provide the most vigorous advocacy to each individual client under the law in the most economically efficient manner. Primarily, our office works horizontally. After arraignment, a lead attorney will make an initial assessment of the case and interview the client. A goal and strategy plan for each case is developed. The case will be "staffed" by a senior attorney to insure any resolution of a case at an early stage is appropriate. If the case does not resolve, it is assigned to a trial attorney who will represent the client for the duration of the case. Each case receives careful assessment by staff members who are well versed in the practice and procedures of criminal law and the local criminal justice system.