Overloaded SF Public Defender limits amount of new cases taken due to lack of funding

The San Francisco Public Defender's office has begun limiting new case intake due to soaring workloads and budget cuts. Public Defender Mano Raju reported a 27% increase in misdemeanor filings and a 30% rise in felony cases since 2020. He highlighted the disparity in funding, noting that the Prosecutor's office has a budget $40 million larger than his. Raju's office struggles with case overload and has requested additional staff, including attorneys and social workers, but these requests remain unfulfilled amid city-wide budget cuts of 15%. Advocates, including Julia Arroyo from the Young Women's Freedom Center, stress the importance of the Public Defender's office for low-income residents who risk unfair convictions without adequate legal representation.

Raju warned that reliance on private attorneys would lead to increased taxpayer costs and potential cultural misunderstandings. The mayor's office acknowledged the funding issue but reiterated its commitment to public safety. Raju insists that without necessary funding, the quality of client representation will decline, leading to unjust outcomes.