FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MAY 4, 2026
CONTACT:
Zena Hallak, Communications Director | Zena.Hallak@asm.ca.gov
Natalin Daldalian, Communications Director | Media@pubdef.lacounty.gov | (213) 654-3909
L.A. Public Defender Joins Assemblymember Ash Kalra at State Capitol to Back ACR 159
Sacramento, CA — LA County Public Defender Ricardo D. García joined Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, Sade Elhawary, and Nick Schultz, alongside chief public defenders from across California, on the Assembly floor at the State Capitol today for the formal presentation and unanimous passage of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 159 (ACR 159), underscoring the urgent need for renewed investment in California’s indigent defense system. The resolution passed unanimously.
ACR 159 affirms the essential role of public defenders in protecting constitutional rights while recognizing the ongoing challenges of workloads and chronic underfunding.
“As a former public defender, I have seen the impact of indigent defense firsthand and the critical role of public defenders in protecting the constitutional rights of everyone, especially at a time when those rights are repeatedly being attacked,” said Assemblymember Kalra. “I am proud to author ACR 159, in partnership with CPDA, to affirm the fundamental importance of public defenders in preserving due process and call for statewide support of indigent defense to address the escalating recruitment and underfunding crisis.”
“ACR 159 acknowledges that constitutionally effective defense requires meaningful resources,” said Ricardo D. García, Chief Public Defender of the nation’s largest local public defense office, serving Los Angeles County. “We cannot continue to expect public defenders to uphold constitutional rights while funding them at a fraction of prosecutors and law enforcement. The disparity puts human lives and the Sixth Amendment at risk.”
As part of this effort, lawmakers and advocates emphasized the importance of meaningful financial support to translate these principles into practice. The resolution is accompanied by a call from the California Public Defenders Association to allocate $45 million in funding over three years to strengthen statewide public defense infrastructure, increase staffing, and establish sustainable standards.
The unanimous passage of ACR 159 signals growing momentum toward comprehensive reform and a renewed commitment to building a more equitable legal system across California. The California Public Defender’s Association, chief public defenders, and advocates from across the state rallied at the State Capitol today in support of the resolution and the critical funding ask.