Fresno County Public Defender's Office

Thank you to everyone in our office who donated to the food drive organized by our awesome Paralegal Rachel. Thanks also to Paralegals Megan and Victor, and Supervising Legal Assistant Mike who helped transport 350 food items to Central California Food Bank in this time of increased need due to COVID-19! Please consider donating if you are able--even $1 can provide up to 7 meals! https://ccfoodbank.org/donate/

Beautiful photos by Isaac Granados from our march on Monday. Thank you for sharing!

Today we marched with our fellow Public Defenders across California and the nation. Thank you to all who were involved in this march. We stand with our clients who bear the weight of the racial inequity that happens in the streets and in courtrooms everyday. We lift our voices to honor victims of state-sanctioned violence. We know that police brutality happens disproportionately against black bodies. We look forward to working with our community toward a better system that makes the justice system more just. Black lives matter. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article243378301.html

WHERE: 2135 Fresno St, Fresno CA 93721 WHEN: Monday, June 8th at 12pm (noon) The Fresno County Public Defender's Office, in conjunction with Public Defender's Offices across the State, is coordinating a demonstration in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement to stand against systemic inequality and the disproportionate incidents of police brutality against black bodies. ... We invite all community organizations and residents of the County who want to stand, kneel, and march in solidarity to join us and to collectively say that #EnoughIsEnough! Masks, social distancing, non-violence and peace are required.

If you believe you may have had court or don't know your court date due to the closure, you can look it up at the website below. Our office is still closed to the public until further notice in order to protect the health and safety of both clients and employees. If you have questions about your case or need to contact your attorney, you may still call us at (559) 600-3546, or (559) 600-6155 for Juvenile matters.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." ~ Martin Luther King Jr. The Fresno County Public Defenders Office will not be silent. Every day we bear witness to the systemic anti-blackness that permeates this country. We stand in solidarity with the cries for justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson and the countless other victims of state sanctioned murder. As allies it is imperative to give a name to racial trauma. We mourn with the protesters, the community members, the victims of police brutality and their families. We will not be silent. The time for change is now.

Big shout out to all the members of our office who continue to show up to work everyday and fight for our clients--defending the Constitution in the face of the COVID 19 pandemic. It is inspiring to see the dedication and hard work of our Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Social Workers, Investigators, Attorneys, Admin, and Management team. Thank you Everyone! #UnsungHeros

Just a reminder that the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office will be closed to the public until further notice in order to protect the health and safety of both clients and employees. If you have questions about your case or need to contact your attorney you may still call us at (559) 600-3546, or (559) 600-6155 for Juvenile matters. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. #stayhome #flattenthecurve

Our awesome Social Worker Unit put together a community resource guide including food, clothing, housing, medical, utilities assistance, and more. Feel free to share.

Due to the health concern regarding COVID-19, the Fresno County Superior Court has temporarily closed from March 23 to April 3, 2020. If you haven’t done so already, please contact your attorney for your new court date. Please keep our office apprised of your current telephone number and mailing address. If you have any questions, call our main office at (559) 600-3546, or (559) 600-6155 for Juvenile matters.

Due to the current recommendations from the CDC regarding COVID-19, the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office will be closed to the public until further notice in order to protect the health and safety of both clients and employees. If you have questions about your case or need to contact your attorney you may still call us at (559) 600-3546, or (559) 600-6155 for Juvenile matters. We take pride in providing you excellent representation and will work with you to make your commitments to the court while maintaining your health.

Another year, another successful Homeless Court at the Poverello House! Thanks to our attorneys who assisted in providing free legal assistance to people currently undergoing substance abuse treatment, helping resolve outstanding minor offenses and converting fines into community service. These efforts will remove significant barriers to reentry, for example, enabling clients to drive legally to their jobs, classes, and homes. Great work everyone!