Top Public Defender's Office Candidate Started Career In Marin

San Rafael CA

31 August, 2021

5:34 PM

Description

SAN RAFAEL, CA —Marin County administrators have chosen a former Marin County intern to be the next leader of the Public Defender's Office. David Joseph Sutton would replace Jose Varela, who lead the department for 11 years before he retired in March. His appointment is contingent on approval by the County Board of Supervisors. If his hire is approved, he would start work October 4. Sutton grew up in San Francisco before moving to Riverside to live with his uncle, according to a press release from the county. He was an intern with the Marin County Public Defender's Office while a law student at the University of San Francisco, and later returned as a deputy public defender. "Knowing the organization and the excellent quality of legal services that it provides to the community were big attractions for me," Sutton said in the news release. "I will be a proud steward of an excellent organization and build off the strong foundation that already exists. It's also extremely exciting to join an office dedicated to holistic, high-quality, client-centered representation during the larger shift toward restorative justice in recent years." Sutton has been Trial Chief for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Los Angeles for the past two years. County administrator Mathew Hymel said Marin officials "are confident that (Sutton) will lead the office consistent with our values of community involvement, collaboration, and excellent client representation."