UPDATE: A significant leadership change has just occurred in Alameda County’s Court Appointed Attorneys Program, as Executive Director Andrea Zambrana has exited her role amid a critical attorney shortage that has left many criminal defendants without legal representation. This shakeup comes at a time when defendants are experiencing prolonged delays in their court proceedings, some languishing for weeks at Santa Rita Jail.
The Alameda County Bar Association confirmed this leadership transition this week, though it remains unclear if Zambrana was forced out or resigned voluntarily. Her departure was first communicated in an internal email dated September 10, 2023. Annie Beles, a respected attorney with deep ties to the program, has been appointed as the interim director. She will share responsibilities with Cynthia Chandler, the Bar Association’s chief operating officer, and Hadassah Hayashi, the CEO.
This leadership change is urgent as the county has been grappling with a dire shortage of attorneys, leading to severe consequences for defendants. Reports indicate that some individuals have openly voiced their frustrations to judges about the delays, and at least one defendant accepted a jail sentence without consulting an attorney first.
In one alarming instance, a 48-year-old man from San Leandro appeared in court four times between June 4 and July 8, only to leave without legal representation each time. Consequently, a judge issued a $25,000 arrest warrant for him when he failed to appear for a fifth hearing on July 14.
The backlog of felony defendants waiting for representation at Santa Rita Jail has reportedly exceeded 100 individuals, according to Chandler. However, that number has now been reduced to approximately 35. “Clients cannot wait, and our community cannot wait,” Beles stated, emphasizing the need for immediate action as she temporarily halts accepting new clients.
Amid these challenges, the program has launched a new initiative dubbed “Operation Clear the Backlog.” This campaign aims to address the critical shortage of attorneys and is actively seeking to expand the number of legal professionals available. Currently, at least a dozen new attorneys are being vetted for inclusion in the program, and more than 10 have already been added this year.
Chandler disclosed that judges have also begun directly appointing attorneys in urgent cases, a practice typically avoided due to potential biases. Between seven and 10 attorneys have been appointed by judges in the past two months alone, indicating a shift in response to the pressing needs of the defendants.
Presiding Judge Thomas Nixon expressed optimism regarding the program’s ability to ramp up attorney availability, stating, “We are excited to learn that the program has increased the number of attorneys.” Beles’ extensive experience in handling high-profile criminal cases positions her as a strong leader for the program during this critical time.
As the challenges continue, community leaders and legal advocates are closely monitoring the situation. The ACLU of Northern California has previously raised concerns about constitutional rights violations due to the lack of representation, further highlighting the urgency of the matter.
Moving forward, all eyes will be on the program’s ability to stabilize and improve legal representation in Alameda County. The community awaits further updates as the situation develops.
For ongoing coverage, stay tuned as we report on how this leadership change and the new initiatives affect the future of legal aid in the region.
