Statement on Death of Los Angeles County Public Defender Who Died From COVID-19

The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) offers its condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of the Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender who passed away this week from COVID-19. Any death is tragic, but this one hits close to home. We are heartbroken to learn of the first death of a justice system employee related to COVID-19, a day that we feared would happen, but it doesn’t make that reality any less painful. We greatly respect this wonderful Deputy Public Defender who worked tirelessly to represent their clients in Los Angeles County.

The loss of this Public Defender’s life illustrates the commitment that all members of the court system have to serve the communities of our County, even in times of unprecedented risk and challenge. The health and safety of all who enter the courthouses and workplaces in the criminal justice system is a priority of the ADDA. We are all in this together, and we will do everything we can to protect ourselves and to protect each other, and we will continue to collaborate closely with the Public Defenders to accomplish these goals.