It provides legal assistance to individuals charged with a crime in state court who are financially unable to retain private counsel.

Several San Diego County Public Defenders have gone on to become judges in California Superior Court.

[7] The office has faced multiple cases of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and unethical conduct.

[2] The Alternate Public Defender maintains offices in downtown San Diego, El Cajon, South Bay, Vista, and Kearny Mesa.

[2] The Multiple Conflicts Office - Major Cases (MCO) accepts court appointments that the Public Defender and the Alternate Public Defender are unable to accept due to a conflict of interest or other order of the court.

[3] MCO represents people who are charged with only the most complicated and serious cases throughout San Diego County.