Established as a County department in 1968, the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office is dedicated to ensuring justice and protecting the constitutional rights of individuals who cannot afford private legal representation.
Today, the office is led by Public Defender Judyanne Vallado (2024–present), following a strong legacy of leadership that includes:
As one of the County’s major public law offices, the Public Defender’s team consists of 59 attorneys, 17 investigators, and 37 support staff, serving 30 judicial positions across five locations. Together, our team manages more than 1,800 cases each month.
Clients are referred to the Public Defender’s Office through court screening based on financial need. Legal services are provided only in cases mandated by law and only to individuals who do not have the present ability to hire a private attorney.
In cases where a conflict of interest arises—such as when multiple individuals are charged in the same case—or when staffing limitations prevent representation, Court Assigned Counsel provides alternate legal services through a contracted panel of attorneys.