THOMAS W. SONE
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Division: Administration
Undergraduate College: Washington State
Law School: University of San Diego
Bar Number: 203958
Admission Date: December 8, 1999
Mr. Sone was appointed the Public Defender for San Bernardino County on April 20, 2021.
KELLIE BYWARD
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER
Division: Administration
Undergraduate College: Loyola Marymount University
Law School: Hastings College of the Law
Bar Number: 245765
Admission Date: November 1, 2006
Ms. Byward was appointed to Assistant Public Defender for San Bernardino County on February 3rd, 2023.
RICHARD M. STERLING
CHIEF DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Division: Human Services
Undergraduate College: California State University, Long Beach
Law School: California Western School of Law, San Diego
Bar Number: 195221
Admission Date: June 30, 1998
Mr. Sterling leads the Human Services Division, located in San Bernardino, California.
GEOFFREY CANTY
CHIEF DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Division: West Valley
Undergraduate College: University of California, San Diego, graduated 1994
Law School: University of San Francisco, graduated 1997
Bar Number: 192628
Admission Date: December 1, 1997
Mr. Canty currently leads the West Valley Division, located in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
LANCE THOMPSON
CHIEF DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Division: Desert
Undergraduate College: Brigham Young University
Law School: Valparaiso University
Bar Number: 192407
Admission Date: December 5, 1997
Mr. Thompson leads the Desert Division, located in Victorville, California, as well as our office located in Joshua Tree, CA.
DIANA LOVELACE
CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATION
Division: Administration
Undergraduate College: California State University, San Bernardino