Kern County Public Defender

03/26/2026

03/25/2026

Women in Law Portrait 2026 - Kern County Bar Association

03/07/2026

Deputy Public Defender Julius Cruz secured a hung jury on the murder charge in Juan Valdez’s retrial. After the earlier conviction was overturned on appeal, Cruz argued Valdez’s mental health issues drove the incident and persuaded the majority of jurors to reject murder.


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03/05/2026

Deputy Public Defender Julius Cruz secured a deal for Jose Preciado that dismissed the murder charge and resolved case for voluntary manslaughter.

See full article here: https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/man-accused-of-killing-son-in-fight-over-electric-bill-takes-plea-deal/

03/03/2026

In the Riddhi Patel matter, Kern County Deputy Public Defender Jacob Evans secured a mental health diversion ruling after the court found Patel legally eligible and suitable following multiple evaluations.

The case involved 21 felony charges tied to alleged threats against elected officials made during a public city council meeting. Despite intense public attention and the seriousness of the charges, the court applied the statute as written, allowing treatment focused accountability.

See full article here: https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/riddhi-patel-set-for-diversion-hearing-thursday/

02/28/2026

In July, Darin Lee Williford was arrested after a fatal incident in Oildale. Deputies responded to reports of a man suffering trauma and the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.

As the case moved forward, key facts emerged. Multiple people were present at the residence. Forensic testing showed Mr. Williford’s DNA was not on the weapon used while other individuals’ DNA was.

Today, murder case was fully dismissed.

Defense by Kern County Deputy PUblic Defender Ajaib Gill.

Full story here: https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/beardsley-ave-murder-case-dismissed/

02/28/2026

At the preliminary hearing, Chief Deputy Public Defender Jano Mattaeo represented Eric Joy. After hearing the prosecution’s evidence, the judge discharged the murder charge and declined to hold Mr. Joy to answer on that count. Strong defense advocacy matters.

02/27/2026

Bakersfield police detained the wrong man after a reported iPhone theft. Aaron Murray didn't match the suspect’s description or the surveillance video, yet he was held for 20 minutes, tasered when he tried to leave, and charged with felony resisting. A jury needed just 30 minutes to acquit.
Deputy Public Defender Nathalie Sahakian: “The detention was unlawful, the force was unreasonable, and the acquittal was inevitable.”

09/11/2025

Ricapa's criminal defense attorney, DPD Thomas Pope, said after trial, "Every vote matters...thankful the jury held the government to their burden of proof.”

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A mistrial was declared after a Kern County jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case of a man accused of working at an illegal ma*****na dispensar…

09/04/2025

Estrada's attorney Deputy Public Defender Rosezetta Upshaw said after the full acquittal: “The not-guilty verdict . . . is a complete victory for our defense team and our client.”

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A woman who was found loading a gun in a vehicle that had been “shot up like Swiss cheese” has been found not guilty of a misdemeanor gun charge, acco…

08/29/2025

DPD, attorney Autumn Paine, delivers attempted murder acquittal. Life sentence off the table now!

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Kern County jury reached a mixed verdict for a man who fought with and allegedly choked a deputy, acquitting him of attempted murder but returning guilty verdic…