October 2, 2018
Flanked by his family, Ricardo García was sworn in as the 11th LA County Public Defender after the Board of Supervisors spoke about García’s many accomplishments.
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Latest News
If you or someone you know was arrested while demonstrating, our Rapid Response Team is available to provide guidance.
Si usted o alguien que conoce fue arrestado mientras protestaba, nuestro Equipo de Respuesta Rápida está disponible para brindar asistencia.
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we’re proud to honor the women whose leadership, expertise, and dedication drive the mission of the nation’s first and finest Public Defender’s Office.
We recognize Chief Deputy Justine Esack, whose leadership guides our daily operations, and our Assistant Public Defenders—Candis Glover, Graciela Martinez, Haydeh Takasugi, and Traci Blackburn—who lead the regions protecting the rights of our most vulnerable neighbors.
From Division Chiefs Monnica Thelen and La Mer Kyle-Griffiths, to Communications Director Natalin Daldalian, who ensure our staff have the support, training, and platforms they need to succeed, and that their voices are heard.
These women are not just leading our Office—they are shaping the future of public defense.
March 18th is Gideon’s Day and we at the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office are celebrating! Enjoy this short video about Clarence Gideon’s story and his contributions to paving the way for public defense nationwide. Today and every day we are thankful for our team of public defenders who protect the rights of the indigent every day. Happy #PublicDefenseDay from the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office!
⚖️Happy Public Defense Day! ⚖️ Today we honor the constitutional warriors who fight to ensure that “Equal Justice Under Law” is a reality for everyone.
“It is fundamental that justice should be the same, in substance and availability, for all citizens.” - Justice Lewis F. Powell, Legal Services for the Poor: Looking Ahead, 1976.
March is National Social Work Month and today, March 17th, 2026 is National Social Worker Appreciation Day! Today, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank the social workers across our Office for the work they do in serving our clients and the impact they have in uplifting individuals, strengthening families, and supporting communities across Los Angeles.
Apply today to join the Nation’s oldest, largest, and finest indigent criminal defense agency as an Investigator II!
🥎PD North Region knocked their first annual Gideon’s Day Softball Tournament out of the park 🥎
Today we celebrated public defenders with a little friendly competition and a couple of curveballs. Our Lancaster, Van Nuys, and San Fernando offices were able to get into the Gideon’s Day spirit heading into this week! Congratulations Team Van Nuys on the win. 🏆
On this International Women’s Day and throughout Women’s History Month, we’re recognizing women whose leadership has shaped the fight for justice in public defense. From Clara Shortridge Foltz—the first woman lawyer in California and the visionary behind the public defender system, for whom the downtown criminal courts building is named—to Barbara Allen Babcock, a pioneering advocate and mentor to generations of lawyers, to Ketanji Brown Jackson, whose career continues to inspire at the highest levels. Their legacies continue to shape and strengthen the fight for indigent defense.
Follow along as we highlight other historical women leaders in Public Defense, both within our office and across the nation
