Office of Assigned Counsel

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In an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19 virus, and consistent with CDC recommendations, the Office of the Public Defender has closed our business offices to the general public through April 3, 2020 to TBD.   We will assess whether the closure needs to be extended at that time. Our staff continues to work; for assistance please call (619) 338-4800

 

The San Diego County Office of Assigned Counsel (OAC) was established by County resolution on December 9, 2008, as an independent and ethically separate division of the Department of the Public Defender. 


OAC arranges for high quality legal representation on behalf of individuals charged with a crime in state court who are entitled by law to court appointed attorney services but who cannot be represented by the Public Defender or Alternate Public Defender due to conflict of interest or other issues.  In conflict of interest and other similar situations, OAC also assigns attorneys to represent individuals who may not be charged with a crime but who are otherwise entitled by law to court appointed legal services.

OAC provides these legal services by assigning the cases it receives to well-qualified attorneys engaged in private law practice who have been approved to receive such assignments only after meeting our office's experience and training requirements.

Michael Garcia, Chief Deputy

 
 

 

Michael Garcia Head shot 2

                                                                               

                                                                                    Our Mission 
"To protect the rights, liberties, and dignity of all persons in San Diego County and maintain the integrity and fairness of the American Justice System by arranging for the finest legal representation in the cases entrusted to us for assignment to private counsel."
 
                                                      San Diego County Office of Assigned Counsel
                                                                                 Office Location
                                                                           450 B Street, Suite 840
                                                                           San Diego, California 92101
                                                                           Telephone:  (619) 338-4800 
                                                                            Primary Fax:  (619) 236-1108
                                                                            Legacy Fax: (619) 338-4743 
                                                                          Internal County Mail Stop:  C-270
                                                                            E-mail:  oac@sdcounty.ca.gov 

 

                                                                                     DISCLAIMER 
       
This site is meant to provide information of a general nature which you should verify with an attorney before relying upon it.  It does not provide legal advice and is not meant to establish an attorney-client relationship.  If you are seeking legal advice you should ALWAYS contact an attorney.