Scales of Justice Tip Unevenly in Humboldt: Grand Jury Finds Public Defender’s Office Underfunded and Overburdened

A newly released report by the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury paints a stark picture of the conditions under which the county’s Public Defender’s Office operates, describing it as “disadvantaged, deluged and devalued” while still managing to fulfill its constitutional role defending those who cannot afford legal representation.

The report, titled SCALES OF JUSTICE OUT OF BALANCE?, outlines what the Grand Jury describes as systemic inequities between the Humboldt County Public Defender’s Office (PD) and the District Attorney’s Office (DA). Despite representing the accused in approximately 82% of local criminal cases, the PD receives 36% less funding than the DA. The discrepancy, the report states, results in lower wages, heavier caseloads, fewer investigators, and inadequate office facilities.

Overworked and Underpaid

According to the Grand Jury, each PD attorney is handling the workload of at least 2.5 attorneys when compared to state-recommended caseload limits. Despite carrying crushing workloads, Humboldt’s PD attorneys are among the lowest paid in the state. Entry-level salaries lag 25–43% behind similar rural counties like Mendocino and Napa. Meanwhile, support staff and investigators earn thousands less per year than their counterparts in the DA’s office.

The report also highlights challenges with staff retention and recruitment, noting that many new attorneys leave within a few years for better-paying opportunities. In contrast, more experienced defenders tend to stay—driven by commitment rather than compensation.

Workplace Hazards

The building housing the Public Defender’s Office was described by staff as “condemnable.” The Grand Jury noted signs of rodent infestations, leaking ceilings, inaccessible upper floors, and outdated furnishings. Security concerns were also cited—public reception areas are unprotected, and several staff have been assaulted in recent years.

In stark contrast, the DA’s office occupies a modern, renovated space on the fourth floor of the courthouse, equipped with up-to-date technology, security, and office infrastructure.

Staffing and Caseload Crisis
The report calls the Public Defender and Conflict Counsel’s offices “dangerously understaffed.” In 2024, the two offices handled over 4,400 new felony and misdemeanor cases with just 14 attorneys between them. Based on recent statewide guidelines, the report estimates they would need 25 attorneys to manage that volume appropriately, along with additional support staff and investigators.

Stress and burnout are cited throughout the report, with one former deputy public defender reportedly taking two years to recover after leaving the job. Attorneys and investigators face emotional trauma, inadequate training, lack of supervision, and logistical delays—particularly in receiving digital evidence from the DA’s office, which can take months.

Recommendations

The Grand Jury issued 20 recommendations, including:

• Relocating the PD to an ADA-compliant, professionally maintained office by 2026.
• Raising attorney and staff pay to bring it closer to parity with other counties and the DA’s office.
• Increasing staffing across both the PD and Conflict Counsel offices to meet caseload demands.
• Establishing permanent social worker positions and improved training protocols.
• Allowing emotional support animals in staff areas to help mitigate stress.
• Creating and enforcing consistent performance evaluations and management oversight.

A Constitutional Mandate at Risk

Despite the hardships, the report praises the PD and Conflict Counsel staff for their professionalism and effectiveness. The offices have received few complaints, and attorneys have been relieved from a case for inadequate representation only once in the past three years.

Still, the Grand Jury concludes that the imbalance in resources threatens the integrity of the local justice system.

“In the American judicial system, those with more resources often have the advantage,” the report reads. “Is this what the Sixth Amendment contemplated? Is it a fair fight?”

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is required to respond to the report’s findings and recommendations within 90 days. Invited responses were also extended to the Public Defender, Human Resources Department, and the Department of Public Works.

The full Grand Jury report is available by clicking here.