In partnership with USC’s School of Social Work, we welcomed a delegation of social workers from Taiwan to learn about the vital role social workers play in public defense. The visit included court observation and meaningful conversations about client-centered advocacy, fostering international collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

The California Department of Justice is still processing previously unreported arrest disposition reports due to an error in the Superior Court’s previous case management systems. Our Office is working with the Superior Court to find ways to “mitigate harm to individuals who might otherwise suffer job, housing, or licensure loss as a result of incidents for which they long ago made amends.”
 
“Our ability to address or prevent these harms will require the cooperation of all justice system parties to ensure that these missed, but decades-old, offenses do not destroy lives” says L.A. County Head Deputy Public Defender Nick Stewart-Oaten.
 
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July 2026, our office will be providing record clearing services at various locations around LA County!
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Los Angeles Public Defender Ricardo D. Garcia joined civil rights advocates, faith leaders, and community organizations at the California State Capitol to call for universal clemency for everyone on California’s death row. The event came as California reflects on five decades of a death penalty system that has proven costly, arbitrary, and irreversible. California is at a crossroads. Governor Gavin Newsom has the power to commute all 550+ death sentences before leaving office—by granting universal clemency. 🔗Sign the link in our bio today!

From middle school classrooms to law school career fairs, our Recruitment Team spent the 2025–2026 school year inspiring the next generation of public defenders. This year, the team connected with hundreds of students through career days, mentorship programs, classroom presentations, networking events, office visits, and information sessions across LA and beyond. They also coordinated 15 attorney shadowing opportunities, giving aspiring legal professionals a firsthand look at public defense in action. By introducing students to careers in public service and public defense, we’re helping build a diverse, talented, and service-driven workforce dedicated to protecting the rights of Los Angeles County residents.