History
The Office of the Fresno County Public Defender was established by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors on June 20, 1967. Under the direction of the first appointed Public Defender, Melvin W. Nitz, the Office of the Public Defender opened its doors on November 1, 1967, with a staff of thirteen attorneys, three investigators, and three legal secretaries.
In 1981, Edward Sarkisian, Jr., was appointed Public Defender when Melvin W. Nitz left the Public Defender's Office to become the director of Defender's Inc., in San Diego, California. Jose R. Villarreal succeeded Edward Sarkisian, Jr., as Public Defender in 1987, when the Honorable Edward Sarkisian, Jr., was appointed to the Fresno County Municipal Court Bench.
In 1992, in recognition of its 25th anniversary of providing outstanding legal service to the indigent of Fresno County, the Office of the Public Defender was recognized by a formal resolution of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and of the Central California Assembly and Senatorial Districts. This recognition was in honor of the Office of the Public Defender's dedication, commitment, and professionalism, consistent with the highest traditions of public service throughout the State of California.
In May, 1995, Charles P. Dreiling became Acting Public Defender when Jose R. Villarreal left Fresno to become the Santa Clara County Public Defender. In July, 1997, Charles P. Dreiling was appointed Public Defender of Fresno County. In March, 2003, George Cajiga became Acting Public Defender, upon Mr. Dreiling's retirement from County service. In February, 2004, George was appointed Public Defender. In November of 2006, George passed away. Paul Hinkly was then appointed Acting Public Defender. In August, 2007, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors appointed Kenneth K. Taniguchi Public Defender. The Office of the Public Defender now consists of a staff of eighty-one attorneys, nineteen investigators, one administrative secretary, one accountant, two legal secretaries, twenty-three office assistants and six legal assistants.
Click on the link below for a video on the development of Public Defender Offices in the United States.
History of the Public Defender