SF Superior Court could dismiss cases after Public Defender's Office caps its caseload - Local News Matters

San Francisco Superior Court is grappling with a backlog of criminal cases, which could lead to dismissals as the Public Defender’s Office has capped its caseload. Presiding Judge Rochelle East warned that some defendants may be released from pretrial custody due to statutory deadlines. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins criticized this move as negligent and dangerous for public safety, labeling it an illegal strike by the Public Defender’s Office. Public Defender Mano Raju defended the office's commitment to pretrial diversion programs, stating that 20% of their cases are currently in diversion. The court reported a spike in new misdemeanor cases, with filings increasing from approximately 2,300 in 2023 to over 4,200 in 2024.

As of mid-November, more than 3,600 misdemeanor cases are pending, raising concerns about the court’s capacity to manage the influx. Prosecutors noted that about 70% of pending cases are eligible for diversion, but participation in these programs has declined. The situation underscores the challenges the court faces amid rising misdemeanor filings and limited resources.