Access to the legal process in South County is challenging for residents. The only court in the region, located in King City, offers limited services and hours, and currently there isn’t a Monterey County Public Defender’s Office.
To address this, the PDO will open a satellite office in Greenfield, a 500-square-foot space where the former Monterey County District 3 office was located at Greenfield's Civic Center.
The goal is to make it more accessible for accessible for South County residents who may commute 30 minutes to an hour to the closest courthouse in Salinas.
“We thought that establishing a location in Greenfield ensures that people can receive timely legal assistance along with support that promotes stability in their lives,” says Raymond Buenaventura, chief public defender of Monterey County.
County Supervisor Chris Lopez says having a PDO office there “is the only way that we'll get true justice throughout Southern Monterey County for every member of our community.”
The lease begins on Sept. 15, and Buenaventura hopes it will open this fall.
Services will be based on community needs. The plan is to begin with 20 hours a week, Monday to Thursday, with the goal of expanding to eight hours per day and possibly on Saturdays.
The office will open in Greenfield for several reasons, including its location: It’s close to all South County cities, has high crime rates, and has a large immigrant population.
The office will assist clients with cases, conduct interviews/investigations and connect them to other services, including expunging records or immigration guidance.
Buenaventura hopes a presence in Greenfield will help reduce recidivism rates and increase prevention and resources available to South County residents.