Criminal
Aug. 3, 2026
The public defender crisis Clara Foltz tried to prevent
As the 25th anniversary of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center approaches, California's first woman lawyer's legacy highlights the continuing need for adequately funded public defense, fair discovery practices and a balanced criminal justice system that serves both defendants and crime victims.
On Feb. 8, 2002, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor stood in downtown Los Angeles and declared that renaming the Criminal Courts Building for Clara Shortridge Foltz was "the single most appropriate name that could be put on this building." Nearly a quarter-century later, as we approach the 25th anniversary of that dedication, thousands of defendants, lawyers, jurors, witnesses and court staff still pass every week through the doors at 210 West Temple Street. I have walked those cor...
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