Monthly Speaker Series
Contra Costa Public Defenders’ Efforts Underway to Join Us in Decriminalizing those Living with a Medical Condition Such as Mental Illness
Meeting information
This meeting was held on April 17th at 7 PM, over Zoom.
Agenda
The General Meeting begins at 7 PM, with announcements kicking off the meeting. The presentation begins at 7:15 PM.
Speakers
- Ellen McDonnell, Contra Costa Public Defender
- Joni Spears, Assistant Public Defender/Manager of the CCPD Mental Health Unit
Meeting Description
Justice can only be served when the most vulnerable among us are treated with the same attention, dignity, and respect as the most powerful. Contra Costa Public Defenders (CCPD) are dedicated to providing vigorous, client-centered advocacy to indigent persons accused of crimes in Contra Costa County. For our April 17th General Meeting, Contra Costa Public Defender Ellen McDonnell will be joined by Assistant Public Defender Joni Spears who manages their Mental Health Unit to discuss how they make a diligent effort to serve those criminalized with living with a medical condition such as mental illness.
About 30% of CCPD attorneys represent clients in specialty courts and assignments or mental health-related proceedings. The mental health unit consists of experienced attorneys dedicated to the defense of individuals with mental health disabilities. These attorneys advocate for clients in all stages of civil commitment proceedings from involuntary medication hearings to petitions to extend an individual’s commitment to a state hospital. If an individual with a mental illness or intellectual disability has a criminal case, the court may find the individual incompetent to stand trial and suspend criminal proceedings. In these cases, the unit advocates for these individuals to receive treatment as quickly as possible. The unit is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of our most vulnerable clients and ensuring that they have a voice in the courtroom.
As the Contra Costa Public Defender, Ellen McDonnell stewards the office’s commitment to fighting systemic racism through high quality litigation, and innovative, holistic defense. During her two decades at CCPD, Ellen McDonnell has specialized in representing clients charged in serious felony cases, been the public face of the office in the community and the local criminal court system and led a dramatic expansion of innovative and holistic defense programs in the department. Ellen has expanded the scope and reach of the office’s services through grant-funded programs that have received state and federal recognition.
Assistant Public Defender, Joni Spears, has spent more than half of her 20-year career representing youth in delinquency matters, including youth committed to Contra Costa County’s long-term custodial programs and youth committed to DJJ. Currently, Joni is the manager of the Contra Costa Public Defender Mental Health Unit. In 2020, Joni was named PJDC’s Juvenile Defender of the Year.
Questions, Comments, and Closed Captioning
If you have Questions or Comments for our speaker during the presentation, you may contact Gigi at gro.atsocartnociman@igig.
Closed Caption Translation is available in various languages for any of NAMI CC’s General Meetings on ZOOM. Attendees can select the language of their choosing. RSVP to gro.atsocartnociman@igig by April 16, 2025 if you require audio language translation.
