Welcome

The California Legislature created the Office of the State Public Defender in 1976 to represent indigent criminal defendants on appeal. The office was formed in response to the need for consistent, high-quality representation of defendants in the state appellate courts. Over the years, the mission of the agency has changed. Now, the Office of the State Public Defender focuses its resources on post-conviction appellate representation in death penalty cases. The agency currently represents more than 130 men and women on death row in California. Thank you for stopping by.

 

Office Closure - Furlough Information

Pursuant to Governor Schwarzenegger's Executive Order S-13-09, the Office of the State Public Defender ("OSPD") is compelled to implement three days a month furlough of all employees. Accordingly, both branch offices of OSPD, in Sacramento and San Francisco, will be closed on the first, second and third Fridays of each month, and continuing thereafter until further notice.

Due to the forced closure of the offices, the OSPD will not accept any deliveries nor conduct any other business transactions on furlough days. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Thank you for your cooperation in adjusting to this altered schedule for the duration of the furlough.