Race Equity & Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Public Defender Office Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee Mission Statement

At the Santa Clara County Public Defender and Alternate Defender Offices, we believe that our differences make us unique and guide us in helping our clients. Recognizing, respecting, and celebrating our differences make us supportive colleagues, better listeners, and successful advocates. Our varied backgrounds and lived experiences further our mission to provide exceptional and zealous advocacy for indigent people accused of crime. An inclusive work environment provides an atmosphere that allows all individuals to attain their greatest potential and achieve optimal outcomes for our clients.  Each member of our office should feel comfortable, safe, and proud of their individual diversity. We strive to foster an environment that facilitates this.

As such, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values for our office. It is critical that we incorporate these values into all aspects of our work. By establishing a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee (“DEIB Committee”) we commit ourselves to carrying out these core values. To achieve these results, the DEIB Committee will foster a shared culture at our office that promotes the goals of accepting, respecting, and valuing differences including age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances, socio-economic status, and cultural backgrounds.  Recognizing the unique impact of racism on our clients and staff, the Committee will devote special attention to issues of racial justice while committing ourselves to anti-racist principles and practices. We believe that creating a culture and continued practice of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is an ongoing process to which we commit ourselves. The DEIB Committee will continuously learn and look for ways to implement inclusion and belonging within our system through allyship, understanding, education, and cultural awareness. In addition to promoting an environment that will maintain a safe space for all, the DEIB Committee will look to pursue specific opportunities in the areas of employee engagement, hiring, retention, and diversity in leadership.  We will promote a welcoming office culture and make the Public and Alternate Defender offices a place where every individual feels that they belong.