"Public defenders from seven California counties stood with Raju before the hearing, arguing that legal ethics and constitutional law require attorneys to have the training and capacity to aggressively represent their clients."
"Sanctions cannot change the reality that more cases are being filed and they are taking significantly longer to resolve. In San Francisco, active cases have risen 65 percent since 2019."
"The absurdity of being fined when we are already underfunded is counterproductive and a further injustice to our clients and our office."
A San Francisco judge fined Public Defender Mano Raju $26,000 for not taking on cases his office cannot manage due to excessive workloads. Public defenders from seven counties supported Raju, emphasizing the need for adequate training and capacity to represent clients effectively. The situation worsened after Prop. 36, leading to increased caseloads and insufficient staffing. Raju plans to appeal the sanctions, raising questions about the responsibility of jurisdictions to fund adequate defense amid rising crime rates and case filings, which have surged 65 percent since 2019.
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