Profile

Ricardo Garcia

Public Defender
Public Defender

Ricardo D. García is the Los Angeles County Public Defender and the first Latino to lead the nation’s oldest and largest public defender’s office. Since his appointment in 2018, he has transformed the department through strategic restructuring, digital modernization, and the creation of groundbreaking programs such as the partnership with Partners for Justice and the launch of the award-winning Rapid Diversion Program, Community Outreach Court and the Neurocognitive Disorders Team. He has also expanded the Department’s social work infrastructure and launched its first Communications Division to reshape public narratives around justice reform and elevate the work of public defenders through targeted outreach, including in multilingual and underrepresented communities.

With a career spanning frontline defense, public policy, and capital litigation, García previously served with the ACLU of Southern California, the San Diego Public and Alternate Public Defender Offices. He holds a law degree from UC Berkeley and a B.A. in Politics from UC Santa Cruz.

He is an adjunct professor, frequent speaker on justice reform, and national trainer on public leadership. García currently serves as President of the Los Angeles County Management Council and sits on the boards of the California Public Defenders Association and the Berkeley Law Alumni Association.