Santa Clara County public defenders crushed by caseloads amid budget crisis

Santa Clara County public defenders have become a model for getting poor people out of jail before their trials. But their caseloads have exceeded national standards by staggering percentages  and upcoming budget talks have the ability to plug an ongoing drain of attorneys.

The county has lost 33 public defenders – who are constitutionally mandated to represent the poor in court – over the last two years. Now an extraordinary county budget crisis, facing a $270 million deficit this year and annual loss of $1 billion due to unprecedented federal spending cuts under President Donald Trump, could put more pressure on the resources of Public Defender Damon Silver’s office. County Executive James Williams is set to make formal recommendations for all county departments on Friday.