Collection Guide
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Finding aid to the Joseph Freitas, Jr. Papers
(1969-1993)
SFH 700
SFH 700
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Table of contents
Title: Joseph Freitas, Jr. Papers
Date (inclusive): 1969-1993
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 700
Creator:
Freitas, Joseph, Jr., 1939-2006
Creator:
California. District Attorney (San Francisco County)
Physical Description:
13 cartons, 2 mss boxes
(13.75 Cubic Feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
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.
Physical Location: The collection is stored off-site.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
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.
[Identification of item], Joseph Freitas, Jr. Papers (SFH 700), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Donated by Joe Freitas in 2000. Accession number 2000-30
SFH 93, San Francisco District Attorney's Office trial transcript and clippings scrapbooks 1918-1968 (1935-1968 bulk).
During processing the entire collection was rehoused and paper clips were removed.
Biography or Administrative History
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).
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.
- 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
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Public prosecutors -- California -- San Francisco
Crime -- California -- San Francisco.
Criminal justice, Administration of -- California -- San Francisco.
Trials (Murder) -- California -- San Francisco
Political campaigns -- California
California. District Attorney (San Francisco County)
White, Dan, 1946-1985 -- Trials, litigation, etc.
Moscone, George, 1929-1978
Milk, Harvey