ADO group photo

Protecting Your Rights and Fighting for Justice

Our Mission

The mission of the Alternate Defender Office is to provide rigorous, high quality, cost effective, and caring representation in cases where the Public Defender has a conflict of interest.

Picture of David W. Epps, Supervising Attorney

Welcome to the Law Offices of the Santa Clara County Alternate Defender web site. The office of the Alternate D​efender was established in 1996, and currently has a dedicated and diverse staff of o​ver 30 Deputy Alternate Defenders, Investigators, Paralegals, and Support Staff. We are committed to ensure that the right to effective and competent legal representation in criminal and juvenile delinquency cases is a reality for those in Santa Clara County who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Our goal is to always seek the best ethical and legal outcomes possible through vigorous and devoted legal representation.

Our team welcomes the opportunity to provide superior legal representation to the residents of Santa Clara County. We hope this site contributes to your understanding of our office and how the criminal justice system functions. We have included links to other members of the criminal justice community which will afford you easy access to important and needed information.

Thank you for your interest in this office and its mission. Feel free to contact me or my staff should you need further information or assistance.

Sincerely,
David W. Epps
Supervising Attorney
Alternate Defender Office​

Contact us

Alternate Defender 

Main Office

2305 Bering Drive  
San Jose, CA 95131  
​Phone: (408) 970-2700​  
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South County Office

80 Highland Avenue  
San Martin, CA 95046  
​Phone: (408) 209-1675  
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Palo Alto Office

270 Grant Avenue  
Palo Alto, CA 94306  
​Phone: (408) 655-1260  
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Alternate Defender Staff Directory 

Public Defender 

Main Office

120 West Mission Street  
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-7700​​​​​​
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South County Office

17275 Butterfield Blvd., Suite B 
Morgan Hill, CA 95037 
Phone: (408) 201-0500
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Palo Alto Office

270 Grant Avenue 
Palo Alto, CA 94306 
Phone: (408) 918-7740
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Public Defender Office Directory