Sacramento County Office of the Public Defender

Sacramento County Office of the Public Defender The Office of the Public Defender was founded in Sacramento County in 1948. Our Support Staff

A strong support staff assists fully in the legal defense.

We provide quality legal representation and/or advice to any person financially unable to employ counsel in adult criminal, juvenile delinquency, and mental conservatorship cases. About Our Office

The Office of the Public Defender was established in the County of Sacramento in 1948. We provide quality legal representation and/or advice to any individual financially unable to employ counsel in adu

lt criminal, juvenile delinquency, mental conservatorship, appropriate family law, and probate cases. Providing the defense of approximately 35,000 cases, our staff consists of approximately 140 employees. Our Attorneys

Our over 90 attorneys exclusively practice criminal law and related matters. The office recruits and hires candidates with a strong record of academic achievement. Attorneys gain trial experience initially at the misdemeanor level and progress through felonies of increasing difficulty. Due to the seriousness of the cases our office defends, our attorneys have significantly more trial experience than most private practitioners. Attorneys "staff" their cases with experienced senior attorneys and have quality in-house training that is certified by the State Bar. Criminal investigators locate and interview witnesses, as well as prepare thorough reports. The most current technological tools are generally available. The legal research assistants (law students) assist in the various divisions and interview and represent clients, under the guidance of a senior attorney. Others assist in legal research work. Our clerical staff processes our services and organizes our case files, assist in case document preparation, and answer a myriad of inquiries. Our Administrative Staff keeps the "business" of the office running smoothly. How Cases Are Defended

The goal in the defense of all cases is to provide the most vigorous advocacy to each individual client under the law in the most economically efficient manner. Primarily, our office works horizontally. After arraignment, a lead attorney will make an initial assessment of the case and interview the client. A goal and strategy plan for each case is developed. The case will be "staffed" by a senior attorney to insure any resolution of a case at an early stage is appropriate. If the case does not resolve, it is assigned to a trial attorney who will represent the client for the duration of the case. Each case receives careful assessment by staff members who are well versed in the practice and procedures of criminal law and the local criminal justice system.

Today Supervising Assistant Public Defenders Addie Young and Jenny Stoneburner were honored with the Chris Carlson Big H...
06/12/2026

Today Supervising Assistant Public Defenders Addie Young and Jenny Stoneburner were honored with the Chris Carlson Big Heart Award. The Big Heart Award recognizes individuals in the collaborative justice community who embody Chris Carlson’s compassion and extraordinary commitment to providing treatment with accountability for people involved in the criminal justice system. Chris Carlson served as a Deputy District Attorney in Sacramento for many years. He was instrumental in the current formation of the Collaborative Courts in Sacramento County. Prior to his passing this award was named in his honor. Congratulations to Jenny and Addie for this well deserved award!

14 years before the US Supreme Court decided the case of Gideon v. Wainwright, Sacramento County appointed its second Pu...
06/05/2026

14 years before the US Supreme Court decided the case of Gideon v. Wainwright, Sacramento County appointed its second Public Defender. In 1949 Oscar A Kistle replaced Elvin Sheehy to become the County's first full time Public Defender. Mr. Kistle was born in a log cabin in 1908. He moved from Nevada City to Sacramento in 1916. He was a graduate of Sacramento High School. In 1933 he began working for the Sacramento Police Department as a property Clerk. In 1937 he graduate from McGeorge School of Law, but continued working for the Police department.
During World War Two he served with the 88th and 34th Infantry Divisions of the Army. He saw action in Africa and Italy. He was awarded the Silver Star , two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
He retuned to Sacramento and passed the bar in 1946. That same year he joined the District Attorney’s office.
He resigned as the Public Defender in 1952 to go into private practice. He eventually returned to the DA’s office where he rose to become the chief deputy in that office.
In 1965 he was appointed to the Municipal Court and then to the Superior Court in 1967.
He passed away in 1994.

The history of the Sacramento County Public Defender begins with Elvin F Sheehy. Mr. Sheehy was born in Santa Rosa in 19...
05/22/2026

The history of the Sacramento County Public Defender begins with Elvin F Sheehy. Mr. Sheehy was born in Santa Rosa in 1906. He moved to Sacramento as a child and graduated from Sacramento H.S. He worked as a messenger for the Sacramento Star and Sacramento Bee newspapers. Later he moved to the Los Angles and work for the LA Herald. In 1926 he moved back to Sacramento and entered McGeorge Law School. He graduated in 1930 and past the bar the same year.
He was in private practice in the early 1930’s. He was appointed by the Court to represent one of the 5 inmates of Folsom prison accused of murdering the Warden and a guard during an escape attempt in 1937.
In the late 1930’s he became a Deputy District Attorney. He served in that office until he enlisted in the Army in 1942. He rose to become a Captain and flew glider planes as an Intelligence Officer.
Mr. Sheehy became the County’s first Public Defender in 1948. The position was part time and paid $300 a month.
He resigned as the Public Defender in 1949 to become the Chief Assistant District Attorney. Appointed to the Municipal Court in 1955 and then the Superior Court in 1963. He retired from the bench in 1969. He passed away in 1991.

05/14/2026

The Sacramento County Public Defender is dedicated to keeping due process matter for our community through zealous advocacy for our clients.

Stay tuned for updates, resources, and upcoming events that matter to you.

Standing in Support of Public Defender Offices through out California. Staff from the Office of the Sacramento County Pu...
04/24/2026

Standing in Support of Public Defender Offices through out California.

Staff from the Office of the Sacramento County Public Defender, Juvenile Division

Standing in Support of Public Defender Offices through out California. Staff from the Office of the Sacramento County Pu...
04/24/2026

Standing in Support of Public Defender Offices through out California.

Staff from the Office of the Sacramento County Public Defender, Downtown Office

April 23rd Day of ActionOver the past several years, California has enacted important reforms addressing racial justice,...
04/21/2026

April 23rd Day of Action

Over the past several years, California has enacted important reforms addressing racial justice, mental health, and substance use in the criminal legal system which has significantly expanded the duties, responsibilities, and workload of public defenders. Yet the funding for this work continues to fall primarily on counties, without a consistent, ongoing state investment.
Ensuring the right to counsel requires aligning resources with responsibilities. We encourage our community to share with state legislators the importance of providing adequate, ongoing funding for public defense.
We join other Public Defender offices across the state in wearing black on April 23 and invite our community to do the same in recognition of the importance of funding the right to counsel.

Expungement is the act of clearing a criminal record. It is applicable to an adult who has successfully completed probat...
04/17/2026

Expungement is the act of clearing a criminal record. It is applicable to an adult who has successfully completed probation by fulfilling all probation conditions/terms or being successfully discharged before the end of their probationary period; the applicant must not be serving any sentence or be on probation for any other offense.

California Penal Code (Section 1203.4) authorizes the court, in the interests of justice, to permit you to withdraw a previously entered guilty plea and have your case dismissed if you have fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire period of probation or have been discharged from probation. To obtain a dismissal under this section, you must file a Petition in the jurisdiction where the prior conviction occurred seeking an Order by the Court to grant relief under Penal Code Section 1203.4.

The Public Defender's Office will be conducting self help clinics for this process in the near future. Please keep your eye on this account for information to follow.

This weekend we reflect on the tremendous legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the anniversary of his assassination, as ...
04/03/2026

This weekend we reflect on the tremendous legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the anniversary of his assassination, as well as the historic 1977 504 Sit-in in San Francisco.
These moments remind us of the ongoing fight for civil rights, dignity, and equal access to justice for all. The impact of MLK and the San Francisco protestors continues to shape the work we do every day as we stand alongside our clients and our community.
We honor that legacy by continuing the work.

Address

Sacramento, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(916) 874-6411

Website

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