Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender @CruzDefender

Thanks in no small part to the leadership of Public Defender Social Work Supervisor Maria Rodriguez Castillo who worked tirelessly to bring our community together for this event, National Night Out was a tremendous success!

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I spent the day in San Diego meeting California's new defenders and giving the opening presentation on Theory, Theme & Persuasion at California Public Defenders Association Basic Trial Skills Institute. California, we are in good hands. - Heather

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Thank you, Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey, County of Santa Cruz, LATINAN, Watsonville Law Center, Welcoming Network of Santa Cruz County, and volunteers who showed up to support our immigrant community at Saturday's 2nd Asylum Clinic.

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Last week, our holistic defense team did outreach with other community organizations at Reiter Farms, providing information about early representation, record clearance, and the rights all people have--including noncitizens--when they interact with immigration officers.

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Spread the word about Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Clinic in Watsonville, this Thursday June 26, from 9 am to 3 pm. Staff will provide legal consultations and assistance with DACA and Green Card renewals. Appointments preferred / walk-ins okay.

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Join us in celebrating June as Fatherhood and Father Involvement Month in Santa Cruz County.

We are proud to once again sponsor this free and fun event, where we will have prizes and games for the kids and share information about our office's record clearance, early representation, and Know Your Rights programs.

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Without standards, caseloads are unacceptably high in the majority of our California Public Defender offices. Washington State is taking decisive action. We must do the same. cascadiadaily.com/2025/jun/10/wa…

Join me and California Public Defenders Association in condemning ICE raids and state violence against protestors. “This moment demands moral clarity,” said CPDA Board President Tracie Olson. “We will not stand by while ICE terrorizes our communities. . ." -Heather

"We are not going back!" Chanting and marching in yesterday's PRIDE parade, we celebrated the world we are creating together--a world where everyone enjoys dignity, inclusion, and equal access to justice.

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Thank you to all who have served and do serve. As defenders, we fight every day to ensure your sacrifices are not in vain.

Are you a housing attorney with the desire to make an impact on underserved individuals in our community by helping them keep their housing? Consider this contract position at Tenant Sanctuary. For more information about this important work, visit tenantsanctuary.org

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I am truly honored to join the Board of Directors of the California Public Defenders Association. Thanks to all of you who supported me. I look forward to serving our defender community in this new role.

Congratulations to all the deserving winners of this year's NEXTIES! So many of these people and partners are critical to our work helping the people we serve address the root causes of system involvement. Thank you for all that you do!

Santa Cruz County Trial Lawyers Association's Elbow Rub, honoring court CEO Sasha Morgan, drew a crowd of trial lawyers, court staff, family, friends, and children. To donate and support Cookie Court and Mock Trial, visit scctla.com.

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Join us at the Santa Cruz County Pride Parade! Spread the word and join the fun.

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