Frequently Asked Questions
To help you navigate the legal landscape of the court system in California, OSPD has provided a collection of Frequently Asked Questions. Before reaching out to us, please see if your question is asked and answered below.
OSPD
- What is the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD)?
OSPD is an independent agency of the State of California, with a mandate to provide legal services as dictated by California Government Code sections 15421 and 15422. It consists of two divisions: the Appellate Division and the Indigent Defense Improvement Division (IDID). The Appellate Division specializes in providing high quality representation to individuals who have been sentenced to death. IDID offers support and training for indigent defenders and works to enhance indigent defense.
Appellate Division
- Can OSPD represent me in my county superior court case?
No, OSPD does not represent individuals in superior court.
- What if I have a county case and I need to get in contact with my attorney?
You should contact the attorney the court has appointed for you for specific legal advice or representation. If you are represented by a county public defender, you can start here for a website that has some information about public defender offices.
- Can OSPD contact my attorney for me?
No, we cannot. OSPD does not have information about individual cases where it is not appointed. If you have a question about a case where OSPD represents you call the front office: (510) 267-3300 or (916) 322-2676.
- Can I ask to have OSPD to be appointed on a death penalty case? What about a case in the court of appeal?
No. For capital cases and the court of appeal cases it handles, OSPD is appointed directly by the Court. It does not accept appointments except through court appointment.
- Can I talk to an attorney about my legal problem?
An Attorney of the Day (AOD) is available to assist individuals who are unrepresented or have general legal questions. The AOD cannot provide legal advice but may offer information or resources. You may contact OSPD at (510) 267-3300 or (916) 322-2676 and request to speak to the Attorney of the Day AOD. You can also be put in touch with an AOD through email. If you are represented the AOD cannot help you. Individuals already represented by an attorney should contact their attorney directly for assistance.
- If I have a complaint against a lawyer, who do I go to?
Complaints about an attorney should be directed to The State Bar of California. Call the Attorney Complaint Hotline (1-800-843-9053) or download an Attorney Complaint Form.
Indigent Defense Improvement Division (IDID)
- How can I contact IDID if I have questions about their services?
If you have questions about the services provided by OSPD’s Indigent Defense Improvement Division, you can fill out a contact form to get in touch with them.
- How do I access prior recorded webinars?
If you are a member of a defense team, you can access previously recorded webinars by registering for IDID’s Training SharePoint. This platform provides a comprehensive database of recorded online training opportunities, including past webinars. Once registered, you can browse and view these webinars at your convenience
- How can I get on OSPD’s Listservs and SharePoints?
OSPD provides these services to defense teams. If you would like to register for OSPD’s listserves click here. Materials and resources are maintained on SharePoint sites. If you would like access to the SharePoint site associated with a Listserv, please follow one of the links below. Please note that you must be a member of the Listserv to have access to its SharePoint site. If you are not a member of the Listserv or you are not sure if you are a member or not, you may register using the link above.
AB2542 SharePoint (Racial Justice Act (RJA))
AB3070 SharePoint (“Better than Batson”/California Jury Selection)
SB1437 SharePoint (Penal Code section 1170.95/Felony-murder resentencing)
AB333 SharePoint (“Gang” offenses) - How can I hear about the trainings IDID is doing?
Subscribing to OSPD’s mailing list will keep you informed about new and upcoming trainings as well as provide updates on any newly available recorded sessions.
General Questions
How can I make a Public Records Act request?
Members of the public can use the California Public Records Act (CPRA) to get records. OSPD is committed to transparency and compliance with the CPRA. Individuals seeking access to public records held by OSPD should review our Public Records Request Guidelines, and submit a CPRA request to public.record@ospd.ca.gov. To contact the OSPD Public Records Coordinator, email public.record@ospd.ca.gov or call (510) 267-3300. OSPD will review and respond to these requests in accordance with CPRA guidelines, ensuring timely and appropriate disclosure of public records while respecting privacy and confidentiality obligations.
What should I do if I have specific inquiries about OSPD's operations or website?
For inquiries about OSPD’s operations or website, you can contact either the Sacramento or Oakland regional law offices during business hours, or email webmaster@ospd.ca.gov for specific questions.