What We Do
Free Our People - San Diego Participatory Defense is a group that meets weekly to support the accused and their families as they navigate the criminal justice system. Many of our members have personal experience with the criminal justice system - as defendants, as family members of loved ones facing charges, as lawyers, and as activists. All of us want to help community members get the best possible outcomes in their cases and collectively transform the landscape of power in the criminal justice system.
The San Diego Participatory Defense Group is not a legal clinic. Although individuals who are licensed attorneys may take part in the San Diego Participatory Defense Group, none of their statements or actions can be considered legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created between you, the loved one who has been charged with a crime, and anyone participating in this group. Only your loved one’s attorney can provide legal advice about the case. If you have any legal questions about statements made or suggestions given by anyone from the San Diego Participatory Defense Group, you must seek that legal advice from the attorney of record on the case.
Free Our People is part of the Participatory Defense Network. Participatory Defense is a community organizing model for the accused, their families, and communities to impact the outcomes of cases and transform the landscape of power in the criminal justice system (for more information about Participatory Defense, click here).
San Diego Participatory Defense is not a service group. The members of the group will support you in your efforts to get the best outcome possible for you or your loved one, but the members will not do anything “for you.” You must do all of the work necessary to help your loved one. You are the organizer and agent of change, rather than a service recipient. This group will, to the extent reasonably possible, support you in your efforts.
These meetings are not confidential. So, please do not discuss details of the incident at the meetings. For the same reason, it is also a good idea not to talk about details of the case with your loved one over the phone. All jailhouse phone calls are recorded and even personal phone records can be subpoenaed and used against you and/or your loved one.
When we meet
Tuesdays from 6-8 pm
Where we meet
6443 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92114
Who can come
Anyone personally impacted by the criminal justice system