The Board of Supervisors, at its July 24 meeting, concurred with the County Executive’s appointment of Steven M. Garrett as Public Defender effective July 22, 2018.
“Mr. Garrett’s dedication to the community, paired with his extensive experience in the Public Defender’s office, is a significant value to the County of Sacramento, and we are fortunate to promote such a highly qualified individual to the position,” said Bruce Wagstaff, Deputy County Executive, Social Services.
Mr. Garrett has worked in the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office for more than 25 years, working in almost every unit of the office. He served as Lead Attorney of the Office’s Juvenile Division from 2009-11, and as Supervisor of the Division from 2011-14. During this time, Mr. Garrett managed the day-to-day operations of the Division, created new case management tools, expanded the use of volunteer recruitment, successfully collaborated with all justice partners and community members, in numerous juvenile committees and meetings, and served as a member of the California Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Work Group in 2012.
As Acting Public Defender since September 2017, Mr. Garrett successfully managed personnel, budgetary and legal strategy decisions in the office of nearly 150 attorneys, investigators and support staff. He identified and implemented changes to the Office’s State Prison Unit to increase revenue, implemented Total Quality Management in analysis and staffing of the Felony Intake Unit, and built deep community connections in County agencies, the faith-based community, other community organizations and the City of Sacramento.
Prior to his time with Sacramento County, Mr. Garrett was an attorney in private practice, an instructor at University of California, Berkeley, Law, and a clerk to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.
Mr. Garrett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, Law.