From its inception in 1914, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has been dedicated to legal and social justice with the goal of broad systemic change. As the oldest, largest, and finest indigent criminal defense agency in the United States, our mission is to provide high-quality legal representation to individuals who cannot afford private counsel, ensuring fair treatment within the criminal justice system.
The office was established by a visionary attorney named Clara Shortridge Foltz, who was not only the first female lawyer on the West Coast but also a pioneering advocate for the public defender system. Her groundbreaking work laid the foundation for our office’s commitment to defend the rights of the accused, regardless of their financial status – nearly 50 years before the landmark Supreme Court ruling on Gideon v Wainwright (1963) mandated representation. Over the decades, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has been at the forefront of numerous landmark cases, contributing significantly to the development of fair trial standards and criminal justice reforms nationwide.
The Public Defenders Office has 32 office locations throughout LA county. Integral to supporting the Department’s mission is a budgeted team of more than 1,200 employees – including more than 700 attorneys, as well as paralegals, investigators, social workers, and administrative/support staff.
In addition to our core legal services, the Public Defender’s Office engages in a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of criminal behavior and supporting our clients’ reintegration into society. These include:
The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to justice, equity, and the protection of constitutional rights. Our ongoing efforts are driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of legal representation and social advocacy.
The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office is the finest client-centered criminal defense firm in the nation, providing a beacon for evolutionary and revolutionary changes in the justice system.
By 2025, measurably reduce incarceration and the collateral consequences of contact with the criminal justice system in Los Angeles County.
Advocacy: We are zealous Defenders, working relentlessly to meet the needs of our clients.
Compassion: We listen to our clients, respect their life experience, and tell their story.
Dedication: We are passionate about indigent defense.
Collaboration: We work with County and community stakeholders to achieve our clients’ goals.