San Francisco Court to Release Pre-Trial Defendants Amid 60% Surge in Case Filings

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Superior Court has announced plans to release some pre-trial defendants due to an overwhelming shortage of public defenders, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. The court's move comes as the Public Defender's Office grapples with excessive workloads, exacerbated by a significant increase in criminal case filings from the District Attorney's office.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins voiced strong opposition to the court's decision, telling KQEDnews, > “What is new is that the court has become complicit in this by now stating that they are going to release potentially dangerous and violent felons back into the community because of what’s happening.” Jenkins accused the court of complicity and suggested the public defender's actions were a "dereliction of duty" and a political tactic to secure more funding.

The Public Defender’s Office has been declaring itself unavailable for new misdemeanor and some felony cases, citing understaffing and a heavy caseload. This situation has led to defendants remaining in jail for extended periods without representation, prompting the court's intervention to uphold the constitutional right to counsel. The Bar Association of San Francisco, which had been assisting, has also reached its capacity.

Public Defender Mano Raju refuted Jenkins' claims, stating that the crisis stems from the District Attorney's office filing a nearly 60% increase in cases since 2021. Raju emphasized the ethical and legal mandate to provide effective counsel, arguing that his office is operating at a breaking point due to the surge in prosecutions. He also highlighted the disparity in funding, with the DA's office receiving significantly more resources.

In response to the escalating situation, the San Francisco Controller's Office is conducting an audit into the increase of criminal cases, as the Superior Court faces an "unprecedented number of misdemeanor cases." Both the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office are scheduled to meet with a judge to address the ongoing lawyer shortage and its systemic impact on the city's justice system.