Yolo County Public Defender's Office

As we learn more about the death of Sonya Massey (a young Black woman who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy on 7/6/24 in Springfield, Illinois after she called 911 asking for help), we are filled with heartbreak and sadness, but not with shock. We feel heartbreak for Sonya, who deserved to be safe in her own home and at 36 years-old, was taken far before her time. We feel sadness for Sonya’s family and community, who are now without a beloved mother, daughter, and friend. But we do not feel shocked, as tragically Sonya’s name is one of a number of Black women who have been killed by police in recent years, in their own homes, including Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson.

Innocent and unarmed, Sonya’s slaying was senseless, yet we know it will have far reaching implications beyond her family and the community of Springfield, IL. There are entire communities throughout the country who do not reach out for help, either due to fear of police brutality, deportation, or simply not being believed. Tragedies such as Sonya Massey’s murder just further seed that mistrust, and as a result, these communities would rather suffer in silence than put their lives or liberty at risk by reaching out for help. What does this say of our society, that the systems we’ve built to protect and serve, actually do the opposite?

In 2020, after the brutal murder of George Floyd, a racial reckoning swept our nation and called for change. But here we are 4 year later and clearly that call has yet to be answered. So now, in honor of Sonya Massey, George Floyd, and countless other Black individuals who have been killed by police brutality, we ask our leaders and decision makers to prioritize police reforms NOW so that no more Black lives are senselessly lost.

Did you know that CA has awarded more than $300 million in Proposition 47 savings to cities and counties around the state with great success?!?! One of these jurisdictions is Yolo County, which has received several Prop 47 grants over the years. Additionally, state data shows that Prop 47 participants are far less likely to be convicted of a new crime and far more likely to have stable housing and employment.

‘Proposition 47 is clearly demonstrating that when we take a broad and shared approach to safety that isn’t overly reliant on enforcement and prison incarceration, we get better safety outcomes.’ - Tinisch Hollins, executive director, Californians for Safety and Justice

Prop 47 Has Saved California Millions. These Are the Programs It's Funded | KQED Programs funded by Proposition 47’s cost savings are showing success transitioning individuals out of incarceration — even amid a push to rollback parts of the landmark criminal justice reform.

As more than 146 million Americans were under extreme heat alerts across the nation, people incarcerated in CA's aging prison facilities are particularly vulnerable due to overcrowding and lack of air conditioning and cold water.

"My friend said, ‘Help us, we can’t breathe.’ I’ve had heatstroke before [while incarcerated] and I know what it feels like to be so dehydrated that you can’t see. They are sitting in a room, toasting in what feels like an oven. They’re all suffering." - Norma, “My friend said, ‘Help us, we can’t breathe,’” said Nomura, who formerly incarcerated individual who previously served time at Central California Women’s Facility, located in the Central valley city of Chowchilla

‘Like an oven’: death at US women’s prison amid heatwave sparks cries for help Woman dies at California facility as temperatures reach 110F and residents without air conditioning beg for relief

Did you know that in California, if you are involuntarily sent to the Department of State Hospitals for critical mental health treatment, you could later receive a bill for that care?!?! If you are unfamiliar with this billing practice that disproportionately affects some of our most vulnerable residents and sticks them with bills for exorbitant sums, please check out this article from CalMatters

“To then turn around and give them a bill for something they’re not choosing seems fundamentally unfair.” - Joseph Gocke, Yolo County Public Defender

California sent a mentally ill man to a state hospital. Then it charged him $760,000 'I’m basically going to be in debt for the rest of my life." California State Hospitals bill mentally ill patients for involuntary treatment.

The Yolo Chief Public Defender worked as part of a coalition to restore funding to the Public Defender Pilot Program (PDPP). PDPP has been a HUGE help to public defender offices statewide as the three-year grant funds re-sentencing and re-entry support for incarcerated people who have become eligible for sentence review under criminal system reform laws. Recently, this coalition's efforts resulted in the California State Legislature and Governor reaching an agreement that restores funding to the PDPP in the state budget for FY 2024-2025.

“Public defenders are uniquely motivated to help implement important justice reforms such as those that recognize the harm and wastefulness of excessive punishment. The PDPP is proving that reducing mass incarceration is not only possible, but also saves the state money in the long run and gives individuals an opportunity to contribute to their communities and enhance public safety for all." - Mano Raju, elected Public Defender of San Francisco Public Defender's Office

Letter: SF Public Defender Applauds Restoration of State’s Public Defender Pilot Program and Urges Permanent Funding | Davis Vanguard (Editor’s note: This week, the California State Legislature and Governor reached an agreement that restores funding to the Public Defender Pilot Program

Nearly 39,000 incarcerated people have jobs across 33 adult CA state prisons, including work such as manufacturing license plates, cell phone equipment, and office furniture. Even though 18 of these prisons are "particularly vulnerable to extreme heat", there are few safety regulations in place in regards to excessive heat for incarcerated workers. Worker in these facilities (both incarcerated and custody staff alike) frequently face sweltering conditions in poorly ventilated, decades-old buildings ill-prepared for extreme heat.

"(Often) all they have is swamp coolers and shop fans and when those things go out, it's not like they're like 'oh OK, you don't have to work anymore' - the work is expected to continue at all times." - Jeronimo Aguilar, Policy Analyst with Legal Services for Prisoners with Children

CA Mandates Extreme Heat Workplace Safety, Except in Forced Labor Camps On June 20, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) approved the state’s first regulation protecting indoor workers ...

We are very disappointed by the Supreme Court's recent decision on homelessness. This ruling really does nothing to help or support our communities' most vulnerable residents, and in reality, will likely make life much harder for the quarter of a million people who have nowhere else to sleep but on streets, in parks, or in their cars.

"This decision sets a dangerous precedent that will cause undue harm to people experiencing homelessness and give free rein to local officials who prefer pointless and expensive arrests and imprisonment, rather than real solutions." - Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness

"Where do people experiencing homelessness go if every community decides to punish them for their homelessness?" - Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Coalition.

So at this point, what can we do?... This is the time to urge policy and decision makers to decriminalize homelessness and allocate adequate funds to help address the housing needs of our most vulnerable family, friends, and neighbors.

Join Housing Not Handcuffs! Housing Not Handcuffs is a national campaign created by the National Homelessness Law Centerand the National Coalition for the Homeless to end the criminalization of homelessness and advocate for housing as a human right.

While many have come to know Pride month as a celebration of LGBTQ+ communities, its history shows us that Pride originated as a protest, and in particular, a protest against police brutality.

The historical legacies of legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ people mean that the criminal legal system was not designed with the needs of this community in mind. In fact, for centuries, the legal system not only excluded them, but actively targeted them. We know this because the data is clear - LGBTQ+ individuals are over-represented at every state of the criminal legal system.

To dismantle the biases deep within our criminal legal system, we must be willing to lift up the voices of our LGBTQ+ community members and ensure that decision makers understand this intersection between q***r experiences and the legal system.

On Friday, we were excited to host a group of young people as part of our 3rd annual Defenders of Tomorrow youth outreach event. Participants got to observe court hearings, learn about different roles/positions within a public defender's office, and engage in meaningful discussions about our local criminal legal system.

Thank you to everyone who came out and participated - we hope you learned as much from us, as we did from you :)

We're looking to fill a Behavioral Health Case Manager position within our office's Mitigation Unit.

This position will assist clients with connecting to community services/supports & helping clients navigate complex systems, such as local systems of care, public benefits, diversion program, and other court mandated requirements. The candidate will work alongside social workers, investigators, and attorneys to help clients both in the office, in court, and out in the community.

We are seeking someone who is passionate about racial and social justice issues and sensitive to individuals who are struggling with mental health issues, substance use problems, and housing instability. The ideal candidate is bilingual and system-impacted, but all passionate individuals are encouraged to apply!!

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/yolococa/jobs/4549162/behavioral-health-case-manager-i?keywords=behav&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Are you a youth thinking about a career within the criminal legal system? Are you a young person who is curious about how the criminal legal system impacts your community? If these are topics that are of interest to you, then we'd love to host you at our office for our annual youth outreach event, Defenders of Tomorrow. This is a day in which we provide education on the critical role public defenders play within the criminal legal system, as well as the important work our office does within your community!

The Defenders of Tomorrow even is scheduled for Friday June 21st and we are accepting sign ups NOW! Don't miss out - we hope to see you here :)

Happy Second Chance Month!!

What can really help a person have a second chance?... a second look!!

We are thrilled that this was an opportunity offered to our client, Ramsey Spivey. Selected as a candidate for Prosecutor Initiated Re-sentencing, Mr. Spivey was able to have his sentence looked at retroactively by the Yolo County District Attorney and the courts. After much work and dedication, he was re-sentenced to time served and came home January of this year. Since coming home, Mr. Spivey has spent nearly every day applying for jobs as well as taking steps to make himself an attractive hire, such as applying for record expungement. He has also become a member of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.

"To have my case accepted was an overwhelming feeling. The staff appointed from the Public Defender’s Office are truly there for you every step of the way, which is a lengthy process that requires patience... The support didn’t stop once I was released. This has become a very personal relationship that has been great, it is a new family within the legal justice system, but now it is my story and my family’s. – Ramsey Spivey

Mr. Spivey sees his Second Chance as an honor, and he sees a future working, giving back to the community, and demonstrating all the reasons why it was worth taking a chance on him.

Welcome home Mr. Spivey - we are so proud of all of your hard work and can't wait to see what you accomplish next :)

Come join our team!!!!

find more information on the job and apply here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/yolococa/jobs/4471079/deputy-public-defender-i-iv?keywords=deputy&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Happy Second Chance Month!!!

Chances = Opportunities... opportunities to obtain basic necessities such as housing and food security, as well as resources that lead to stability, such as employment, medical care, and mental health support.

Today, many returning citizens still struggle with obtaining access to necessary resources and supports due to systemic barriers that prevent them from securing stability and accomplishing their goals. During the month of April, we encourage you to think about and consider all the challenging (and sometimes unique) barriers that formerly incarcerated individuals face when coming home after incarceration.

In honor of Second Chance Month, our office would like to highlight the accomplishments of our incarcerated clients, many of whom are facing long sentences for offenses committed in their youth. Incarcerated individuals are often reduced to a single event or label (“inmate” “offender” ) and face bias and labeling that can follow them for years upon their return home. Having a second chance also calls for redefining our language and challenging society’s preconceived notions about system impacted individuals. Please swipe to see just a few of the things that our clients are doing while inside to transform their lives and their communities.

Happy Second Chance Month!!

DID YOU KNOW that some incarcerated individuals do work as first responders and firefighters while serving prison terms? Sometimes for as little as a dollar or two a day, incarcerated men and women do difficult and sometimes dangerous work that serves surrounding communities. And for years, despite having done work in these fields, for years these individuals were be barred from obtaining necessary certifications that would allow them to continue firefighter and first responding work back in the community. This is one of the many ways that individuals were not set up for success upon their return home. THANKFULLY, new legislation has passed in recent years that is providing more opportunities for incarcerated firefighters to secure record expungement after coming home to pursue these career paths post release.

Happy Second Chances Month!!

Here are members of our Record Mitigation and Community Reintegration team at today's expungement clinic. This team works hard to provide legal representation to individuals seeking expungement and other post-conviction remedies to clear up criminal records after completion of probation or a custodial sentence, thereby removing barriers to economic stability and a return to crime. The team performs outreach and has partnered with other county departments and community organizations to educate staff and residents on the legal rights of individuals with regards to the consideration of their criminal records in the context of employment decisions.

Why is this work so critical?... Today, approximately 1 in 3 U.S. adults have a criminal record, and the stigma of that record can mean a life sentence of reduced economic opportunity causing collateral damage spanning generations. For system-impacted people, reentering their community after incarceration can be incredibly difficult when there are so many barriers that stem from having a record. Expunging, clearing, or mitigating a criminal record can really help open the door to a second chance at life.

Happy Second Chance Month!!!

We believe in second chances because we believe that everyone is capable of growth and transformation. Take for example, Markelle Taylor, who was originally sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after an assault subsequently terminated his girlfriend's pregnancy. During his 18 years of incarceration, he began training for long distance running and in a marathon at San Quentin State Prison, he qualified for the very competitive Boston Marathon. An extraordinary person and athlete, Mr. Taylor has since been released but he continues to run, compete, and now runs a sub 3 hour marathon!

"If you fall in life, just get up and keep running."- Markelle Taylor

He qualified for the Boston Marathon while running in prison. Now, he's a free man with bigger go… To the outside world, Markelle Taylor was an inmate. But behind the walls at San Quentin State Prison, he had a different reputation — the fastest athlete wi...

Happy Second Chance Month!!!

We believe in second chances because we believe everyone has potential and no one is deserving of being thrown away. Take for example, Benard McKinley, who was originally sentenced to serve 100 years in prison for a murder he committed at age 16. During his incarceration, he earned not only his Bachelor's Degree, but also got accepted into Northwestern University's prestigious Pritzker Law School. An extraordinary person and student, Mr. McKinley aims to become a civil rights attorney and use his life experience to change America's legal system.

"Mass incarceration that America has created within its penal system, with the lack of proper education only prepares a person to come back into society ill-equipped to be able to contribute in a positive way, and in my opinion, does nothing but perpetuate the recidivism rate that so many people like to point to."- Benard McKinley

After earning his bachelor's degree behind bars, formerly incarcerated man heads to law school Benard McKinley will be among the hundreds of new students attending Northwestern University's prestigious Pritzker Law School this year — but his path is unlike any of his fellow students.

COURT WATCH: Prosecution Drops Case after Yolo Court Judge Agrees with Defense Claims of Violation of Miranda Rights, and Other Concerns | Davis Vanguard By Audrey Sawyer WOODLAND, CA — After a Yolo County Superior Court judge tossed much of the prosecution’s case here this week, the prosecution dropped

In honor of Women's History Month, we encourage you to tune in to your local PBS station tomorrow to watch 'A Woman on the Outside', a documentary film about how incarceration not only affects the individual behind bars, but also their loved ones in the community. Research shows that many collateral consequence of incarceration fall most heavily on women, particularly women of color. According to the Ella Baker Center's, “women bear the brunt of the costs—both financial and emotional—of their loved one's incarceration.”

A Woman On The Outside • An Intimate Portrait of Family Life in the Shadow of Incarceration An Intimate Portrait of Family Life in the Shadow of Incarceration

On Public Defender Day, we honor the dedication of public defense lawyers who uphold a cornerstone of our justice system—the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Today marks 61 years since the Gideon v. Wainwright decision, which enshrined the principle that legal representation is a fundamental right for all, not just those who can afford it.

Let's take a moment to recognize the public defenders who tirelessly work to ensure that every individual receives a fair defense, regardless of their circumstances. Their role is pivotal in upholding the integrity of our legal system and protecting the rights of those often marginalized. Join us in honoring the dedication of public defenders, the unsung heroes of the legal system.

check out the press release regarding the upcoming Public Defender Community Assistance & Re-Entry Support (CARES) fundraiser on Monday 3/18 - https://www.yolocounty.org/Home/Components/News/News/13611/5136

"By addressing the needs of community members, Yolo Public Defender CARES collaborates with the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office in breaking cycles of incarceration and fostering positive outcomes for individuals and families. Funds raised through the Panda Express fundraiser will directly contribute to easing the challenges faced by those re-entering society."

News | Yolo County Yolo Public Defender Community Assistance & Re-Entry Support (CARES) invites the community to an upcoming fundraiser event at Panda Express in Woodland, at 2041 Bronze Star Drive, on Monday, March 18, 2024, in anticipation of National Public Defense Day.

Yesterday, Yolo County's Board of Supervisors issued a resolution honoring March 18, 2024, as Public Defense Day and the 61st Anniversary of Gideon v Wainwright.

To commemorate Gideon Day on March 18, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) will hold a virtual press conference featuring Public Defender Chiefs and leaders from across the country addressing the dissemination of misinformation about crime rates and proposing tangible solutions for furthering community safety.

Register for the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WHe4l3CHRy-z42UdO8Rr7w #/registration

National Public Defense Day will be on Monday March 18th, and what better way to celebrate than participating in the Yolo Public Defender Community Assistance & Re-Entry Supports (CARES) fundraiser at Panda Express in Woodland!!! CARES is 501(c)3 non-profit that helps fill gaps in needs for individuals who are involved in the criminal legal system here in Yolo County. We hope to see you there!!

Did you know that social workers practicing in indigent defense often go by many different names, such as Sentencing Advocates, Case Managers, or Mitigation Specialists?... Regardless of the title, they are integral parts of the defense team!!

Did you also know that social workers have been part of criminal defense teams since the 1970s?... Working on a variety of adult and juvenile cases, indigent defense social workers ensure that public defense clients receive needed services outside of the criminal justice system. Although social workers’ responsibilities vary across offices and programs, their focus is to consider the client as a whole person and provide the court with insights on the extenuating circumstances behind the client’s actions as well as resources to support their success in the community.

"Women’s history is intertwined with the fight for justice. As a public defender, I am proud to be a part of that legacy, advocating for equality and fairness for women today and for generations to come." - Tracie Olson, Yolo County's first female Chief Public Defender

Join us this month as we celebrate the remarkable women of Yolo County! These inspiring leaders are making a difference for our children, neighbors, and community. Throughout history, the vision and achievements of daring women have strengthened our Nation and opened the doors of opportunity wider for all of us. From suffragists to scientists, artists to public servants, we stand on the shoulders of women trailblazers like these.

As of today, California has enacted several significant laws:

AB 600: Enhances the process of criminal resentencing, allowing courts to recall sentences if sentencing laws have changed, and removes the need for DA or AG concurrence in resentencing decisions.

AB 1118: Addresses discrimination in criminal procedures, allowing defendants to challenge their trial, conviction, or sentence based on evidence of racial bias.

SB 474 (BASIC Act): Aims to protect incarcerated individuals from price gouging by limiting the sale prices of canteen items in prisons.

AB 360: Prohibits the use of "excited delirium" as a medical diagnosis or cause of death, and restricts its use in law enforcement reports.

These laws mark significant steps towards justice reform and equitable treatment within the criminal justice system.