Joseph Freitas, Jr. Papers, 1969-1993

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Freitas, Joseph, Jr., 1939-2006 and California. District Attorney (San Francisco County)
Abstract:
Joseph Freitas, Jr. (1933-2006), also known as Joe Freitas, served as San Francisco's district attorney (1976-1980) when the office was defined by its handling of the Peoples Temple investigation and the Dan White trial. The collection contains records of Freitas' time as DA, as well as records from his time spent prior to 1976 in private practice, campaign records from his 1979 run for reelection, and his 1992 campaign for state senate. The collection is strong in records covering Freitas' time as DA, particularly the Dan White trial, the Peoples Temple investigation, accusations against him of campaign fraud, records about prostitution and child pornography, his work with various professional associations, and correspondence and clippings from 1976-1980.
Extent:
13 cartons, 2 mss boxes (13.75 Cubic Feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Joseph Freitas, Jr. Papers (SFH 700), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains records of Joe Freitas' time as District Attorney, as well as records from his time spent prior to 1976 in private practice, campaign records from his 1979 run for reelection, and his 1992 campaign for state senate.

Of interest are materials relating to the Peoples Temple, the slaying of George Moscone and Harvey Milk, the Dan White trial, campaign materials for both elections, accusations of campaign fraud, prostitution in San Francisco, his work against child pornography, and files containing the district attorney's position on bath houses. Records in the collection consist of correspondence and memos, reports, video of campaign segments, an audio tape of the Art Finley Program featuring John Barbagelata, and photographs of Joe Freitas and his staff.

Biographical / historical:

Joseph Freitas, Jr. (1933-2006), also known as Joe Freitas, served as San Francisco's elected district attorney (1976-1980). Before and after his term of public service he practiced law as a labor specialist and mediator with the San Francisco firm of Neyhart, Anderson, Freitas, Flynn and Grosboll and its predecessors. He was a graduate of the University of San Francisco Law School (1967) and San Jose State University (1961).

His term as district attorney was blemished by allegations of campaign finance fraud, criticism for his investigation of Jim Jones, and his handling of the Dan White trial. He was cleared of any campaign fraud, but his reelection campaign was unable to overcome the shadow left by the Jones investigation, and to a greater extent his handling of the Dan White trial.

Freitas returned to private practice after losing his bid for reelection (1979) against Arlo Smith. He later ran an unsuccessful campaign for California State Senate (1992) against Milton Marks for the 3rd District. He eventually relocated to France where he died of lung cancer (2006).

Acquisition information:
Donated by Joe Freitas in 2000. Accession number 2000-30
Processing information:

During processing the entire collection was rehoused and paper clips were removed.

Arrangement:
  • The collection is arranged in 3 series
  • Series 1: District Attorney files
  • Series 2: Law firm files
  • Series 3: Campaign materials
  • Series 1 is further divided into
  • Subseries 1.1: Correspondence
  • Subseries 1.2: District Attorney Joseph Freitas files
  • Subseries 1.3: Press releases and clippings
  • Series 3 is further divided into
  • Subseries 3.1: District Attorney 1979 campaign for reelection
  • Subseries 3.2: State Senate 1992 campaign
Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Joseph Freitas, Jr. Papers (SFH 700), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website