San Mateo County Private Defender Program

San Mateo County Private Defender Program is dedicated to providing high-quality, zealous legal representation for clients charged with crimes in San Mateo County who cannot afford an attorney. Established in 1969, the program is overseen by a 15-member Board of Directors and operates as a "Managed Assigned Counsel" (MAC) program, committed to client-centered holistic representation.

The program is appointed by the San Mateo County Superior Court to represent financially eligible individuals at public expense. This includes people accused of felonies and misdemeanors, juveniles in delinquency cases, parents and juveniles in dependency cases, and cases brought under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act.

Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of our clients. We practice client-centered, holistic legal advocacy, which goes beyond traditional legal defense to address the full range of our clients’ needs and break the cycle of incarceration. To support this work, we provide our attorneys with all necessary support services, including investigators, paralegal services, access to our Partners for Justice Advocates, criminal immigration services, and social workers. Additionally, attorneys have access to expert witnesses to testify and assist in legal proceedings.

We have been recognized by the Standing Committee Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants of the American Bar Association and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association as one of the preeminent indigent defense organizations in the country.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (650) 298-4000 or visit our main office at 333 Bradford Street, Suite 200, Redwood City, CA 94063. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.