On September 9th 2023, at UC Davis, the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center recognized APD Attorney Angeles Zaragoza for her outstanding juvenile justice advocacy by bestowing her with the 2023 Defender of the Year Award! Angeles was honored with the award, along with co-recipient, Los Angeles County Public Defender Liz Brunstein.
Angeles has been a statewide leader in juvenile practice and has been instrumental in training and advising attorneys, paralegals and social workers on new policies and programs that more effectively serve our juvenile clients and lead to better case outcomes.
In addition to carrying her own caseload, and helping train and mentor juvenile attorneys, Angeles was appointed to a coveted spot on the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).  This body is tasked with investigating and overseeing juvenile halls.

Congratulations, Angeles, and thank you for all that you do on behalf of the juvenile justice community!

On September 23^rd, 2022, APD participated in the Homeboy Industries 13^th Annual 5K Fundraiser Event.  Homeboy Industries provides support to former gang members and previously incarcerated people through gang intervention, rehabilitation, training and employment opportunities, and their successful re-entry program.   Thanks to the generosity of APD, and their friends and family members, we managed to raise over $3,800 for Homeboy Industries!

APD joins Public Defenders across the country to stand together in solidarity to avow black lives matter. Public Defender offices in Minneapolis, New Orleans, and from coast to coast, stand together with our brothers and sisters in unity.

APD collaborated with Homeless Health Care to assemble and distribute hygiene kits to those experiencing homelessness in Skid Row.  APD attorney Jaymes Sanford and APD investigator Kaylin Nelson paired up with Homeless Health Care Harm Reduction Specialist Alex Carrillo and Substance Abuse Counselor Sylvia Meza to distribute hygiene kits at their ‘Center for Harm Reduction’ located at 512 East 4th St, Los Angeles, 90013.

Homeless Health Care provides a refuge for some of the most marginalized members of our society and the individuals who work there day in, and day out, are the true heroes.  Their ‘Harm Reduction Center’ and ‘Refresh Spot’ are located in Skid Row and cater to hundreds of individuals every day.

APD attorney Phil Peng, and proud member of the Skid Row Running Club, team up with the San Quentin ‘1,000 Mile Running Club’ at San Quentin State Prison this past winter (Dec of 2019).