Category: News
Legislature Enacts “Secure” Track to Prevent Transfer to Adult Court
On May 14, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 92, creating a “Secure Youth Treatment Facilities” track for youth found to have committed serious offenses. This was one of the outstanding provisions remaining after SB 823 announced the closure of the state Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the “realignment” of youth to the …
California Supreme Court Upholds Law Protecting 14–15-Year-Olds from Transfer to Adult Court
(San Francisco, CA – February 25, 2021) In a highly anticipated opinion filed in O.G. v. Superior Court today, the California Supreme Court unanimously upheld S.B. 1391 against challenges to its constitutionality. The measure, enacted in 2018, prohibits the transfer of 14 and 15-year-olds to the adult criminal system. The case was successfully argued by …
PJDC Condemns Santa Clara District Attorney Rosen’s Attack on Public Defender’s Free Speech Rights
On June 3, 2020, in the midst of national outrage over racial disparities and mistreatment of Black people in the justice system, Santa Clara County Alternate Public Defender Sajid Khan published a piece on his personal blog entitled, “be mad at the police, but be even madder at the DA’s offices that perpetuate and …
PJDC Stands in Solidarity Against Police Brutality and Anti-Blackness
“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 Pacific Juvenile Defender Center will not be silent. PJDC members are juvenile defense attorneys and …
SF Chronicle “Vanishing Violence” Series Features Core PJDC Issues
Over the past year, the San Francisco Chronicle has published more than 15 stories as part of its “Vanishing Violence” series examining the fall of juvenile crime, and the often inadequate responses by public officials. Articles have focused on continued use of incarceration for youth who commit minor offenses or who need of mental health …
California Supreme Court Strikes Down Juvenile Electronic Search Condition
By a 4-3 decision released August 15, 2019, the California Supreme Court struck down the electronic search condition in a closely watched juvenile case. The case, In re Ricardo P., involved a young person who was placed on probation in Alameda County after admitting two counts of felony burglary. As a condition of his probation, …
San Francisco Votes to Close Its Juvenile Hall by 2021
By a 10 to 1 vote, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has voted to close its juvenile hall by the end of 2021. The ordinance requires the creation of a task force to develop home-like and rehabilitative centers in San Francisco to house youth offenders, including a secure site for those who pose a …
A Great Warrior for Justice: Jeff Adachi 1959-2019
PJDC mourns the loss of Jeff Adachi, Public Defender of San Francisco, who died suddenly on February 23rd. PJDC President Patti Lee, who serves as head of the Juvenile Division for the office said of Jeff that “He truly believed in redemption,” and that he was especially committed to providing the best juvenile defense and …
Los Angeles Supervisors Vote to Phase Out Pepper Spray in Juvenile Facilities
In the wake of a scathing report by the Los Angeles Inspector General regarding the rampant misuse of pepper spray against incarcerated children, PJDC joined dozens of juvenile justice and civil rights organizations to urge the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to phase out the use of pepper spray in all juvenile facilities. The …
Registration Open For The 2019 Bay Area Juvenile Defender Gathering
Registration is now open for the second annual Bay Area Juvenile Defender Gathering at UC Berkeley Law School in Berkeley on Saturday, March 9th. Juvenile Attorneys, social workers, and education attorneys from all extended Bay Area counties are invited to come and share ideas at this interactive gathering. The featured speaker will be Elizabeth …