"He has served as acting public defender since December 2024. "Damon has served the county Office of the Public Defender for nearly three decades, and his longstanding commitment to public service clearly demonstrates that he is exceptionally well-suited for this role," said Board President Otto Lee. "We are proud to see a leader with such deep institutional knowledge and community partnership rise to lead the Public Defender's Office.""
""The public defender position is vital to ensuring that every resident has equitable access to proper legal support," said Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, who chairs the Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Justice Committee. "Throughout his career, Damon has made supporting children and families as they navigate the legal justice system his guiding principle. That passion gives me great confidence that he will uphold the importance of the Public Defender's Office to the highest degree.""
Damon Silver was appointed Public Defender for Santa Clara County and began duties this week. He has nearly three decades of experience at the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office and served as acting public defender since December 2024. He has tried a wide variety of felony cases, including homicides, and has capital litigation experience. He served as Chief Trial Deputy in 2016 and then Assistant Public Defender overseeing homicide, juvenile, and felony trial teams. He helped create community outreach attorney positions and a postconviction-outreach team and led initiatives to serve all community members. His leadership emphasizes collaboration with county partners and those affected by the criminal justice system.
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