Featured News Story (Sept. 2004)

Adachi Continues to Fight For Justice as the San Francisco Public Defender

Jeff Adachi knows the work of public defenders often gets a bad rap. “I think the perception people have of public defenders is they are overworked and spend little time with their clients,” said Adachi. “It’s true public defenders handle many cases at one time but they are dedicated individuals who are providing the best legal representation for their clients. They work long hours and are passionate about their work.”

Adachi also knows hard work pays off. He worked for 15 years as a deputy public defender before former Public Defender Kimiko Burton fired him from his management position in the office. Adachi defeated Burton in a high-profile race where Adachi won with 55 percent of the vote to Burton’s 45 percent. Burton is the daughter of California State Senator John Burton, one of the most powerful politicians in the State. After being elected as San Francisco’s first Asian American and Japanese American public defender two years ago—the only Asian American to head a public defender’s office in the U.S.—Adachi has made changes to strengthen his legal team and help the needy both inside and outside of the courtroom.

His first priority was hiring more attorneys. When Adachi took office he had 68 attorneys and 36 members on his support staff and a $13.2 million budget. He had a study conducted on how to increase staff but help the city save money. Now Adachi has 90 attorneys and a 50-person support staff, with a $17 million budget.

According to statistics from 2003, attorneys in the felony unit handled an average of 168 cases a year, with a caseload of 56 at any given time. The misdemeanor unit handled 748 cases a year per attorney, with 125 cases at any given time. The juvenile unit handled 245 cases per attorney a year, with 54 at any given time. More than 15 percent of Adachi’s attorneys are Asian Americans. Four of the attorneys are Japanese Americans. “Each case involves an individual who is in a certain situation where they need help,” said Adachi, who worked as a sole practitioner after he was fired by Burton and while he was running for public defender. “Sometimes you work with people who are in unfortunate situations. But, there are cases where a client you defended could be found innocent of the charges, like in the John Tennison case.” Fifteen years ago, Tennison and Anton Goff were arrested in connection with a homicide-gang shooting in San Francisco’s Sunnydale neighborhood. Both men were convicted of murder, but through the work of Adachi, the public defender’s investigation unit and help from the San Francisco law firm Keker and Van Nest, new evidence surfaced which exonerated both men last August.

One of Adachi’s goals is to help reform the juvenile justice system. His attorneys handle 1,400 youth cases a year, with 28.7 percent of the youth identified as Asian Pacific Islander. He knows working with the youth at an early age can help deter them from going through the system. The Public Defender’s Office has an education specialist and social worker who help juveniles with problems. In April, the San Francisco Public Defender’s Juvenile Justice Summit was held at the Civic Center Main Library Koret Auditorium. This all-day summit brought together a variety of speakers and youth who want to make this system more efficient and helpful to everyone involved.

The Public Defender’s Office also has a Clean Slate Program which helps people clear their records of arrests and convictions. Adachi said this is important because having a criminal record can make life more difficult for people, including finding a job, housing and receiving financial aid.

No appointments are necessary for these services, which are available on Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at 555 Seventh St. and on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Southeast Community Facility Commission, 1800 Oakdale in Bayview-Hunters Point in San Francisco. For more information, call (415) 553-9337.

Adachi is not up for re-election until 2006. He said the most difficult part of running in a campaign was having his life exposed to the public. “It can be difficult for someone to become a public person and speak before many people,” said Adachi. “It is not easy for someone to hear comments made about yourself you know are not true either. There is a lot involved in politics and running in a campaign. Raising money is only one aspect of it.” Public speaking seems to come naturally for Adachi, who has spoken at several of AABA’s events, including the Annual AABA Installation Dinner. He has also inspired many people to take action on a variety of causes. Although he does not have time to participate in as many community groups as in the past, he feels all of these experiences have helped him mature and matriculate into his current position.

Among his past accomplishments are being the former president of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (1991), co-president of the San Francisco chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, and he spearheaded the Asian American Arts Foundation. He is also a published author, a former musician and has taught bar review classes. Now Adachi spends much time with work revolving around his job.

“I am grateful to AABA for all the support they gave me over the years and when I ran in the election,” he said. “I will always be involved with AABA.” Adachi enjoys spending his free time with his wife Mitsuko and playing with his four-year-old daughter Lauren, who attends the Nihonmachi Little Friends childcare center in Japantown. His wife serves on the NLF board of directors.

Adachi said he will never forget everyone who helped him in his bid to become public defender.

“I had to work very hard to get where I am today and I am very grateful to everyone who helped me along the way,” he said. “It is important to have high morale in my office and this is done by showing leadership.”

“I cannot think of any other job I would rather have than working as a public defender,” said Adachi, who has personally worked on two cases, including one involving murder, since becoming the public defender. “I always loved working with clients and being in the courtroom. I do not have time to handle many cases like before, but even the public defender can still try cases and go to court.”