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Latest News
Congratulations to our Training Director, La Mer Kyle, on becoming President of the National Association for Public Defense (@thenapd)! La Mer’s leadership reflects the innovation shaping the future of indigent defense. We’re proud to see Los Angeles County helping lead that vision on the national stage, advancing a model of public defense that meets the broader needs of the communities we serve.
“The purpose of the study was for RAND to tell us what those drivers of workload are, how we’re allocating our resources, and make suggestions as to how to move forward and ease the workload and adequately distribute it in a way that makes sense.”
Los Angeles County Public Defender Ricardo D. GarcĂa and Assistant Public Defender Traci Blackburn joined @publicdefenselesspodcast host Hunter Parnell to discuss the study’s findings and explore how its insights can help strengthen advocacy for increased funding and resources for the Public Defender’s Office.
Happy National Paralegal Day! Today, we celebrate the paralegals across our office who support the people we serve, our attorneys, and the entire public defense team.
Your work has an impact far beyond the courtroom. Your experience, organization, and care help keep cases moving and our clients’ futures on track. Thank you for all you do. We’re grateful for you today and every day!
The California Independent Commission on Public Defense held its first meeting in October, with Los Angeles County Public Defender @rdg_lapubdef and other Chief Defenders and representatives across the state serving as commissioners. The goal? To build a roadmap for sustainable funding and stronger public defense statewide so everyone has access to quality legal representation.
Your voice matters! 📢 Crucial input is being gathered from residents across Los Angeles County for the upcoming “Know Your Rights” campaign. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey. Responses will directly shape the public education strategy for the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments, and how to safely navigate the criminal legal system. Learn Your Rights, Protect Your Future. Take the survey at the link in our bio. 🔗
Your voice matters! 📢 Crucial input is being gathered from residents across Los Angeles County for the upcoming “Know Your Rights” campaign. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey. Responses will directly shape the public education strategy for the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments, and how to safely navigate the criminal legal system.
September 2026 Defender Digest’s recap highlights the people, programs, and resources making a difference across LA County. From our Know Your Rights Survey and collaboration with the Department of Youth Development, to our record clearing services, see how our Office continues to support our clients and communities.
Catch up on the latest updates, community events, stories, and more from the Public Defender’s Office.
Stay in the loop! Subscribe to Defender Digest and have future editions delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up through the link in our bio!
At @lapubdef, our mission is to defend your liberties and protect your rights. ⚖️ But advocacy starts with education. Help us understand what you need to know about the criminal legal system by taking this short community survey at the link in our bio!