San Diego Participatory defense (FREE SD)

FREE SD stands for Families Reunited, Engaged, and Empowered in San Diego. We are a Participatory Defense group that meets weekly to support the accused and their families as they navigate the criminal justice system in San Diego. We meet every Sunday from 2-3:30 pm via Zoom for each family to identify and share progress toward next steps. FREE SD is not a legal clinic. We are a support group that can help you understand the criminal justice system and identify ways you can support your loved one’s defense. Many of our members have personal experience with the criminal justice system. All of us want to help community members get the best possible outcomes for their loved ones and collectively transform the landscape of power in the criminal justice system.

Odds are that your loved one will be represented by a court-appointed attorney, a Public Defender who also wants the best outcome for your loved one but who has very limited time and resources. You can be an invaluable resource to the Public Defender and to your loved one’s defense by asking the right questions, identifying discrepancies in the prosecution’s case, and compiling social biography information that helps humanize your loved one. San Diego Participatory Defense is here to support you in that process.

Although individuals who are licensed attorneys may take part in FREE SD, only your loved one’s attorney can provide legal advice about the case. FREE SD can help you understand how best to communicate with your loved one’s lawyer, but nothing discussed at Participatory Defense meetings can be considered legal advice.

FREE SD discussions are not protected by any attorney-client privilege, so we don’t discuss sensitive case details. For the same reason, you should not discuss case details over the phone with your loved one. All jail phone calls are recorded, and are often used against defendants. Let your loved one know they should never discuss the details of their case with anyone other than their lawyer, and especially not with anyone (even friends) in jail.