February 11, 2025
Statement by L.A. County Public Defender Ricardo D. García on the proposed legislation to address wildfire-related offenses
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Latest News
We were excited to welcome 40 law students and Professor José Cervantes Kirt from Xochicalco University in Tijuana, Mexico, to the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. During their visit, students heard from our trial attorneys, gang specialists, and juvenile defense attorneys about the work public defenders do every day and had the opportunity to ask questions about the legal profession. Thank you for joining us—we enjoyed meeting with you and wish you all the best!
Los Angeles County renters, homeowners, seniors, families and fire survivors can access free homeless prevention programs and services including rental assistance, mortgage relief, utility assistance, legal aid and housing navigation. Find help and get connected at lacounty.gov/prevention.
Los inquilinos, propietarios, adultos mayores, familias y sobrevivientes de incendios del Condado de Los Ángeles pueden acceder a programas y servicios gratuitos de prevención de la falta de vivienda, que incluyen asistencia para el alquiler, alivio hipotecario, ayuda para el pago de servicios públicos, asistencia legal y orientación sobre vivienda. Encuentre ayuda y obtenga información en lacounty.gov/prevention.
A big thank you to our incredible interns and law clerks for your hard work, dedication, and fresh perspectives these past few months. Thank you for standing with us in the mission of public defense and advocating for our clients and community. We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make in your future endeavors!
August 2026, our office will be providing record clearing services at various locations around LA County!
For more information click the link in our bio 🔗
Our office, in partnership with the @comptoncityhall and @sharifemma, hosted the Freedom Through Expungement Resource Fair at the Dollarhide Community Center on July 17th, 2026.
The free event connected eligible community members with expungement services and legal guidance to help clear qualifying criminal records. Attendees also received access to local organizations offering employment, education, health, housing, and other supportive services.
Join the Nation’s first, largest, and finest indigent criminal defense agency as a Psychiatric Social Worker! We are looking for social workers who have a valid and active license (LCSW) to join our team of Public Defenders.
Knowledge is power—and every young person deserves to know their rights.
This summer, the Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development, Public Defender’s Office, and Alternate Public Defender’s Office partnered to equip young people with essential information about their constitutional rights and pathways to civic action.
And this is just the beginning! Stay tuned as we share more resources and information for youth and families.
A great visit to Cleveland Elementary for Chief of Staff John Mathews, who spoke with students about leadership, public service, and working in the legal field!
