A public defense lawyer who is now on leave from her job was arrested on suspicion of providing a gun to felon, authorities said Friday.

Andrea Bayer, 37, who has been with the county Alternate Public Defender’s Office since 2005, was arrested by San Diego police on Aug. 1, police officials said.

She was booked into Las Colinas women’s jail on a charge that includes furnishing a weapon to either a convicted felon or someone wanted on a felony warrant.

Bayer was released on bond the same night, police Sgt. Michael Stirk said.


The District Attorney’s Office has not filed a criminal complaint against Bayer. An office spokeswoman said they have received the case from police and are continuing to review it.

Police declined to be specific about what illegal action Bayer is alleged to have taken.

The Alternate Public Defender’s Office handles cases where the Public Defender has a conflict of interest, such as a criminal case with more than one defendant. Public defenders are appointed to criminal defendants who can’t afford their own attorney.

Public Defender Randy Mize on Friday acknowledged knowing about Bayer’s arrest. He said Bayer had been on a vacation, and when she returned on July 30, she was placed on paid leave, two days before her arrest.


“We didn’t have any forewarning about her arrest,” Mize said, adding that he was not allowed under personnel confidentiality rules to say why Bayer went on leave.

“As the public defender, I believe in the presumption of innocence and in the criminal justice process.”

He could not confirm whether the person Bayer is alleged to have provided a gun was a client.


pauline.repard@sduniontribune

Twitter: @pdrepard