Office of the Public Defender

Back in June my family and I moved into an apartment and began living a nightmare.
The landlord, with much help from the tenants who live above us, attempted to drive
us from our home when their attempt at an illegal eviction failed. In retaliation to our filing a lawsuit against the other party, they began calling the police to make false allegations against me. After several months of this, they succeeded in having me arrested.
I awoke on my day of court, an innocent man, dressed, ate my jail breakfast, and waited to be called for court. At court, I sat waiting for my Public Defender to walk through the door.
A man walked into the bullpen — waiting room for prisoners — and introduced himself as J.P. Visaya. We sat down and He asked me questions. As I told the incredible story of my circumstances, I watched his face. I listened. And by the end of our
first meeting, I felt shockingly comfortable with being represented by Attorney Visaya. This man took my case to heart and poured himself into it. He believed me. I just needed someone to look into my case thoroughly. The Office Of the Public Defender, San Francisco, is an office full of bright, talented, and genuinely compassionate and caring people. Throughout the entire court proceeding, I watched the people of this office support one another and I was moved.
Attorney Visaya, you and your colleagues at The San Francisco Office of The Public Defender are true Heros. Mr. Visaya, you are a rising star and there is no ceiling. In everyone’s lives there are those people and/​or events that so impact you on such a deep level that they change your life. JP, you are one such person. Thank you, Sir.

Herman Holland is the best, most competent lawyer I’ve ever dealt with. Previously, I had always been skeptical on the capabilities of public defenders since they didn’t have as much of a monetary incentive as private lawyers, however—
I was being wrongfully charged with commercial burglary of the 2^nd degree at my past employer, Nordstrom. Herman’s knowledge of the justice system, sharp eye for noticing the weaknesses the prosecution’s argument, and compassion for me as a human being (and belief that I’m not a criminal)– WON ME AN ACQUITTAL of all the counts I was being charged with. I was found not guilty in a unanimous decision from 12 jurors because of his unparalleled skill. AND — -after all of that, I owed him absolutely nothing for his time. Herman is an exceptional lawyer and hopefully I will never need his services again.
No words can convey how much I appreciate the successful results and hard work he put into my case. If you or anyone you know is being charged with a crime in San Francisco County, Herman Holland is top notch and you most definitely are in the best of hands if you’re lucky enough to have him appointed as your attorney.

Some of most competent, passionate, and dedicated criminal defense attorneys in the country work at the SF Public Defender’s Office. Jeff Adachi has done an incredible job leading this department. If you are indigent and can not afford private counsel, rest assured — you’re in good hands. I clerked for this office while still in law school and was amazed by the quality of the legal representation.

If you cannot afford an attorney a San Francisco Public Defender will be provided for you. Even if you CAN afford an attorney, you can spend a LOT MORE than you would on a Public Defender, but it’s unlikely any private San Francisco attorney will be as qualified, as experienced, or as interested in your case… mostly they’ll just be concerned with getting their billable hours.
When criminal charges are filed, the PD’s Office is there to help even the smallest person adequately navigate legal channels, and to ensure that, no matter what the facts are and no matter how stacked the deck, every single person’s right to a fair trial is protected.
Disclosure: I spent four months as a full-​time intern with the Public Defender, so yeah, I’m biased… but if I was arrested for anything, you can be DAMN SURE I’d want an attorney out of this office!
UPDATE: I recently spoke with a distraught Unilocaler who found it troubling that this review, in fact, failed to contain any humor, or even any attempt at humor. To remedy this situation, please allow me to say the following: The attorneys at the San Francisco Office of the Public Defender have been getting people off for over 85 years, they certainly KNOW what they’re doing!