March 17, 2026

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today voted to proclaim March 18, 2026 as Public Defense Day, honoring the constitutional right to legal representation and recognizing the critical work our Los Angeles County public defenders do every day serving residents across the county.

“Thanks to the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright decision, your right to an attorney in America does not depend on how much money you have,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who authored the Public Defense Day. “Our LA County public defenders fight every day to make sure justice isn’t reserved for the wealthy. By proclaiming Public Defense Day, we have an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the dedicated attorneys and staff who work tirelessly to protect the rights of people across Los Angeles County.”

Public Defense Day commemorates the Gideon v. Wainwright decision issued by the United States Supreme Court on March 18, 1963, which held that under the Sixth Amendment, states must provide legal counsel to individuals charged with crimes who cannot afford an attorney.

“LA public defenders are the living expression of one of the Constitution’s most important promises: every person accused by the government has the right to a lawyer and a fair chance at justice,” said Ricardo D. Garcia, the LA County Public Defender. “At a time when the importance of indigent defense is too often overlooked, I thank the LA County Board of Supervisors for declaring Public Defenders Day and reminding us all that equal justice under law begins with the right to counsel.”

Los Angeles County has long been a national leader in indigent defense. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office is the oldest and largest indigent defense agency in the United States and has provided legal representation to people who cannot afford attorneys since 1914 — nearly 50 years before the Gideon decision established the right nationwide.

“This decision was a game-changer for the criminal justice system, as it recognized that access to a competent defense attorney is essential for a fair trial,” said Erika Anzoátegui, the LA County Alternate Public Defender. “This decision would be meaningless without individuals like public defenders who work tirelessly and sacrifice countless hours of their own family time to uphold the value of Gideon and represent the most marginalized and vulnerable in our community. Indigent defense attorneys are often the last line of defense for those who have been accused of a crime, and they never give up on the humanity and dignity of a human being just because they are accused of a crime.”

Today, public defense services in Los Angeles County are delivered through a robust system that includes the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, the Los Angeles County Alternative Public Defender’s Office, and the Los Angeles County Independent Defense Counsel’s Office. Together, these offices provide representation for adults facing criminal charges, youth in delinquency proceedings, and individuals in certain post-conviction matters.

Through innovations in client-centered representation, community-based advocacy, and data-driven reforms, Los Angeles County’s public defense agencies have become a model for jurisdictions across the nation. Their work continues to advance the promise of Gideon and strengthen the right to counsel for millions of Americans.