Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by several amazing public defenders from the Montana Public Defender System. Each one of them joins the show to talk about the truly transformative effects that workload limits have had on the system, what they hope to see continue to improve in the system, and how the work is finally sustainable because they have enforced workload standards.   Guest: Brett Schandelson, Chief Public Defender, Montana Office of the State Public Defender David Carter, Managing Attorney, Polson, Montana Office of the State Public Defender Natasha Fernando, Managing Attorney, Billings Conflict Division, Montana Office of the State Public Defender Clair Lettow, Managing Attorney, Great Falls, Montana Office of the State Public Defender Nick Aemisegger, Managing Attorney, Kalispell, Montana Office of the State Public Defender Jeavon Lang, Managing Attorney, Appellate, Montana Office of the State Public Defender Qasim Abdul Baki, Public Defender, Montana Office of the State Public Defender   Resources: Contact OPD Here https://publicdefender.mt.gov/       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Andre de Gruy, Mississippi's State Public Defender. Andre joins the show this time to discuss a new pilot program that aims to provide rural communities full time public defenders. Andre hopes that this programs can be the start of Mississippi finally taking its obligations under Gideon seriously.   Guest: Andre de Gruy, The State Public Defender, Mississippi   Resources: Read More Here https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/06/12/mississippi-public-defender-pilot-program Contact Andre adegr@ospd.ms.gov       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Dean Jenny Roberts of Hofstra Law School. On today's episode, Hunter and Dean Roberts discuss a law review article that Dean Roberts published last year about how public defenders can/should respond to the progressive prosecutors.   Guest: Jenny Roberts, Dean, Hofstra Law   Resources: Contact Dean Roberts Here https://law.hofstra.edu/jenny-roberts/ Read the Article Here https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4574381       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Joshua Clark Daivs to discuss his new book, Police Against the Movement. In the book, Professor Davis tells the often forgotten story of how police departments surveilled, infiltrated, and sabotaged civil rights movements that challenged the power of police.   Guest: Joshua Clark Davis, Professor of History, University of Baltimore   Resources: Professor Davis's Website https://www.joshuaclarkdavis.com/   Get a Copy of The Book https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691238838/police-against-the-movement?srsltid=AfmBOorTFXbO1NSyZI4MTU28xSTq8YPHteKdKCkwWICdD6Gw1zTjdbvP Follow Josh on Blue Sky https://bsky.app/profile/joshuaclarkdavis.bsky.social Twitter https://x.com/joshclarkdavis       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Caneel Fraser and Tatyana Kaplan of California's Office of the State Public Defender. The three sat down to discuss an OSPD report, Unequal Scales, to explore how and why Public Defender's are so underfunded in comparison to prosecutors.   Guest: Caneel Fraser, Executive Director, Indigent Defense Improvement Division, California Office of the State Public Defender Tatyana Kaplan, Data Specialist, Indigent Defense Improvement Division, California Office of the State Public Defender   Resources: OSPD Website https://www.ospd.ca.gov/ Reports https://www.ospd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Unequal-Scales_Californias-Investment-Disparity-between-Prosecution-and-Public-Defense.pdf   https://www.ospd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2024-IDID-Annual-Report_Final_Accessible.pdf    Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Shira Diner to discuss the Bar Advocate work stoppage in the state of Massachusetts. Back in May, the Bar Advocates, the private defense lawyers who handle 80% of Massachusetts's public defender workload, stopped taking new cases due to the incredibly low hourly rate they are paid. Since then, thousands of people have been left without representation as the courts have been unable to assign cases to attorneys. Now the question is, where does the state go from here?   Guest: Shira Diner, Professor of Law, Boston University   Resources: News on Bar Advocates Here https://www.alaa.org/thealaaorganizer/massachusetts-defense-attorneys-enter-third-month-on-strike https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2025/0916/sixth-amendment-us-constitution-massachusetts-bar-strike https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/06/27/court-massachusetts-defense-strike-bar https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/bar-advocates-attorney-work-stoppage-pay-raise/ https://www.massbar.org/publications/ejournal/ejournal-article/lawyers-journal-2004-november/keep-it-going-delegates-urge-continued-momentum-on-bar-advocate-pay-issue- https://www.masslive.com/opinion/2025/07/bar-advocates-arent-striking-were-standing-for-justice-viewpoint.html https://www.wcvb.com/article/bar-advocate-strike-massachusetts-healey/65491317 Contact Shira https://www.bu.edu/law/profile/shira-m-diner/     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Alec Karatkatsanis. This time, Alec is here discussing Copaganda, cop fueled propaganda that shapes the way our society understands crime, the criminal legal system, and most importantly, convinces people that the only way to make our communities safer is by increasing our policing. In his new book, Copaganda, Alec explains how this propaganda is created, how it is laundered through ostensibly liberal media sources, and what we can do about it. Guest: Alec Karatkatsanis, Author and Executive Director, Civil Rights Corps Resources: Pick up a Copy of the Book https://firestorm.coop/products/22254-copaganda.html Check out Civil Rights Corps's Work https://civilrightscorps.org/ SF Standard Article https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/08/sfpd-flock-alpr-ice-data-sharing/ Correction. When Hunter spoke about the article, he stated it was 2.1 million illegal searches. It was actually 1.6 million Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home

Today, Hunter was joined by John J. Lennon to discuss his new book, The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories that Define Us. John is a currently incarcerated journalist who presents the stories of four men, Michael Shane Hale, Robert Chambers, Milton Jones, and his own, in his book. Each of these men committed murder, but John sets out to tell a more complete picture to try and capture a more comprehensive picture of these men and the system that punishes them.   Guest: John J. Lennon, Incarcerated Journalist and Author   Resources: John's Contacts https://johnjlennon.net/ https://x.com/JohnJLennon1?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.facebook.com/JohnJLennonJournalist/   Pick up a Copy of the Book Here https://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-True-Crime-Guilty-Stories/dp/1250858240   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Will Snowden of the Juror Project to discuss how they plan on revitalizing the jury around the country.     Guest: Will Snowden, Director, The Juror Project   Resources: The Juror Project https://www.thejurorproject.org/ https://www.thejurorproject.org/contact https://www.instagram.com/jurorproject/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/jurorproject/     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Vichal Kumar of Partners for Justice. This time, Vichal joins the show to discuss a new toolkit that Partners for Justice has put together to give Public Defenders resources to up incorporate collaborative Public Defender practices.   Guest: Vichal Kumar, Managing Director for Capacity Building, Partners for Justice   Resources: Access the Toolkit Here https://www.partnersforjustice.org/toolkit Partners for Justice https://www.partnersforjustice.org/     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Michael Rempel and Anna Stenkamp of the Data Collaborative for Justice. They discuss a recent report authored by DCJ about the impacts, or lack thereof, that came from the changes to New York's discovery laws.   Guest: Michael Rempel, Director, Data Collaborative for Justice Anna Stenkamp, Senior Research Associate, Data Collaborative for Justice   Resources: Read the Report Here https://datacollaborativeforjustice.org/work/case-processing/discovery-reform-in-new-york-what-can-the-data-tell-us/ Data Collaborative for Justice https://x.com/dataforjustice https://datacollaborativeforjustice.org/   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by activist, prisoner journalist, and author of Ending Isolation, Christopher Blackwell. On this episode, Chris and Hunter discuss the book, the horrors of solitary confinement, and why the practice needs to end.   Guest: Christopher Blackwell, activist, prisoner journalist, and author of Ending Isolation, and executive director of Look 2 Justice   Resources: Christopher Blackwell's website and Socials https://www.christopher-blackwell.com/ https://x.com/chriswblackwell?lang=en   Look to Justice https://www.look2justice.org/ https://www.instagram.com/look2justice/?hl=en   Broken is Beautiful Podcast https://www.brokenisbeautifulpod.com/     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was once again joined by Chesa Boudin and Eric Fish to discuss a law review article they recently published. This time, they are talking about Public Defenders and the Separation of Powers. While this seems like a law school paper for law school professors, the fundamental question posed by this episode is how Public Defenders can/should increase their political capacity to act as a check on the other branches of government.   Guest: Chesa Boudin, Executive Director, Criminal Law and Justice Center, Berkley Law Eric Fish, Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law   Resources: Read the Article Here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5198358 San Benito County Report https://www.ospd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2024-IDID-Annual-Report_Final_Accessible.pdf California Report on Flat Fee contracts https://www.aclunc.org/sites/default/files/Contracted%20to%20Fail%20report_March%202025.pdf   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter hosted a debate between Professor John Gross and Professor Bob Boruchowitz about the Public Defender National Workload Standards. Back in the spring of this year, John penned an article about some of the methodological and pragmatic issues with the National Workload study. Meanwhile, Bob has been working in Washington for decades to bring meaningful, enforceable workload standards across the state. Today, Hunter spoke with both of them to hear each side of this debate and to try and figure out the best way to use the national workload standards.   Guest: John Gross, Professor of Law, University of Wisconsin School of Law Bob Boruchowitz, Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law   Resources: John's Article https://publicdefenders.us/blogs/the-problems-with-the-national-public-defense-workload-study/ John's Faculty Page https://law.wisc.edu/profiles/john.gross Bob's Writings https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wa-works-toward-easing-public-defender-shortage-but-more-must-be-done/ https://law.seattleu.edu/media/school-of-law/documents/faculty/publications/boruchowitz/2025_01_RevisedStandards.pdf Other Responses to John's Article https://publicdefenders.us/blogs/the-problem-with-ignoringthe-national-public-defenseworkload-study/   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter hosted a debate between Professor John Gross and Professor Bob Boruchowitz about the Public Defender National Workload Standards. Back in the spring of this year, John penned an article about some of the methodological and pragmatic issues with the National Workload study. Meanwhile, Bob has been working in Washington for decades to bring meaningful, enforceable workload standards across the state. Today, Hunter spoke with both of them to hear each side of this debate and to try and figure out the best way to use the national workload standards.   Guest: John Gross, Professor of Law, University of Wisconsin School of Law Bob Boruchowitz, Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law   Resources: John's Article https://publicdefenders.us/blogs/the-problems-with-the-national-public-defense-workload-study/ John's Faculty Page https://law.wisc.edu/profiles/john.gross Bob's Writings https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wa-works-toward-easing-public-defender-shortage-but-more-must-be-done/ https://law.seattleu.edu/media/school-of-law/documents/faculty/publications/boruchowitz/2025_01_RevisedStandards.pdf Other Responses to John's Article https://publicdefenders.us/blogs/the-problem-with-ignoringthe-national-public-defenseworkload-study/   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Sharone Mitchell Jr. and Sharlyn Grace of the Cook County Public Defender Office. As we have already seen in Los Angeles and D.C., President Trump is threatening to deploy the national guard to Chicago to combat “crime.” Today, Sharone and Sharlyn joined the show to discuss what is actually happening on the ground in Chicago, what the city needs to continue improving public safety, and what Trump's threats are actually about.   Guest: Sharone Mitchell Jr., Chief Public Defender, Cook County, Chicago, Illinois Sharlyn Grace, Deputy Public Defender for Policy, Cook County, Chicago, Illinois   Resources: Liberals and Centrists Biting Off on the Crime Issue https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/bowser-trump-police-takeover-lower-dc-crime-national-guard-ice-rcna227582 Reports on Cash Bail https://loyolaccj.org/pretrial-fairness-act https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/bail-reform-and-public-safety https://reason.org/wp-content/uploads/the-effects-of-cash-bail-on-crime-and-court-appearances.pdf Crime in Chicago https://counciloncj.org/crime-trends-in-u-s-cities-mid-year-2025-update/ https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/vrd/home/violence-victimization.html     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Professor Eve Primus. This time, Eve joined the show to discuss her newest law review article “Burdens of Proof in Criminal Procedure.” At first glance, this might seem like a boring, technical legal topic, but the burden of proof is often the only thing that matters in a criminal trial. As Eve points out, the entire case can hinge on who has to prove what and when they have to prove it.   Guest: Eve Primus, Professor of Law, University of Michigan School of Law   Resources: Read Eve's Work https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5136879Amanda's Faculty Page Contact Eve https://michigan.law.umich.edu/faculty-and-scholarship/our-faculty/eve-brensike-primus   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Amanda Savage to discuss her latest law review article “The Pseudoscience of Gun Hunting”.  In the article, Amanda explains the cop created “Characteristics of an Armed Person” training that cops undergo to identify who may or may not have a weapon. As with many cop created “sciences,” CAP is the perfect tool for police to use if they want to stop, search, and frisk someone for any reason or no reason at all.   Guest: Amanda Savage, Professor of Law, Denver University School of Law   Resources: Read Amanda's Work https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5148151 Amanda's Faculty Page https://www.law.du.edu/about/people/amanda-savage   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was Renae Alt-Summers and Mekka Jeffers-Nelson to discuss the payment stoppage for Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorneys. Just like state public defender systems, the federal public defender system relies on private defense counsel to take conflict cases and serve as the primary way to deliver public defender services. Yet as of the start of July, those CJA panel attorneys have had payments stopped, and those payments aren't set to come back online until at least October. So, what will happen to the federal public defender system now and in the future?   Guest: Renae Alt-Summers, CJA Panel Rep, Federal District of South Carolina Mekka Jeffers-Nelson, CJA Panel Rep, Federal District of Western North Carolina   Resources: Contact Renae and Mekka mjnelsonlaw@aol.com raltsummers@gmail.com Read More About the Freeze https://www.uscourts.gov/data-news/judiciary-news/2025/07/15/funding-crisis-leaves-defense-lawyers-working-without-pay https://www.cbsnews.com/news/defense-lawyers-needy-clients-congressional-funds-dry-up/ https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/federal-defender-program-will-run-out-of-funds-to-pay-panel-attorneys-court-officials-warn https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/defense-lawyers-face-months-without-pay-as-federal-funds-dry-up https://www.wacdl.org/blog_home.asp?Display=14 https://www.fd.org/news/funding-crisis-leaves-defense-lawyers-working-without-pay     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Grant Miller, Salt Lake City Public Defender and Representative of Utah's 24th House District. Last time that he was on the show, Grant was running for office. Now, Grant joins to discuss how his first legislative session went. From passing a bill to reduce fines and fees to helping ensure the Overton window didn't shift too far to tough on crime side, Grant gives us a reason to be optimistic even when we hold minimal political power.   Guest: Grant Miller, Public Defender and Utah House Representative, Salt Lake City, House District 24   Resources: Contact Grant https://www.grantmillerforhouse24.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grantistheguy/?hl=en     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Crystal Leff-Piñon, Director of TIDC's family protection representation unit. On Tuesday, Hunter and Scott Ehlers discussed the funding problem and attorney shortages leading to a slow moving crisis in rural Texas. Today, Crystal joins to share how similar the issues are for family defense throughout the state of Texas.   Guest: Crystal Leff-Piñon, Director, Family Protection Representation, Texas Indigent Defense Commission Resources: TIDC Website: https://www.tidc.texas.gov/about-us/who-we-are/staff/ehlers-scott/ Contact Crystal CLeff-Pinon@tidc.texas.gov     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again the Texas Indigent Defense Commission Executive Director, Scott Ehlers. This time, Scott and Hunter explore a slow moving crisis in Texas Public Defense: an absolute lack of attorneys in rural parts of the state. As with so many states with large rural areas, attorneys are retiring faster than they can be replaced. Scott and his team at TIDC tried to get more funding from the legislature, but as it stands now, the legislature does not seem to be taking this issue as seriously as they should. So what will happen to public defense in rural Texas?   Guest: Scott Ehlers, Executive Director, Texas Indigent Defense Commission     Resources: TIDC Website: https://www.tidc.texas.gov/about-us/who-we-are/staff/ehlers-scott/ Contact Scott SEhlers@tidc.texas.gov Read more about Problems in Rural Public Defense   https://ppri.tamu.edu/portfolio-items/justice-beyond-the-cities/ https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/27/texas-rural-public-defense-indigent/     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by the Executive Director of North Dakota's Commission of Legal Counsel for the Indigent, Travis Fink. Last time, Travis joined the show to detail a bleak outlook for public defense in the state. Not enough attorneys in both the contract and full-time systems, inadequate pay, and crushing workloads left Travis with little choice. He drafted up a letter preparing to tell the courts the public defender would be taking no new cases, but before he could send it out, the legislature threw the system a lifeline.   Guest: Travis Fink, Executive Director, North Dakota Commission of Legal Counsel for the Indigent   Resources: Travis Testimony at the Legislature https://video.ndlegis.gov/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20250130/-1/32604 Contact the North Dakota Public Defender https://www.indigents.nd.gov/ North Dakota Public Defender News https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/07/07/north-dakota-public-defenders-see-budget-increase-with-new-biennium/ https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/public-defenders-underpaid-overworked-north-dakota-report-says/article_76910028-f819-11ee-a575-8f6da532994a.html     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by New Mexico's Chief Public Defender, Ben Baur. A few years back, a workload study estimated that New Mexico had 1/3 of the public defenders it needed to meet its workload demands. At that time, the state set out on a five-year plan to address the staffing shortage. Unfortunately, the state has not stuck to the five-year plan. Now, with a shortage of attorneys in rural parts of the state, low pay for contract attorneys, and still too many cases, will the New Mexico public defenders have to stop taking new cases?   Guest: Ben Baur, Chief Public Defender, New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender   Resources: Contact the New Mexico Public Defender https://www.lopdnm.us/offices/ New Mexico Resources https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nAHtHZaAmu6My2tL04Dn_HlLhy-HARuP?usp=sharing New Mexico Workload Study https://www.lopdnm.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LOPD-Attorney-Workload-Study2.pdf New Mexico Five Year Plan https://www.lopdnm.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Final-Draft-LOPD-5-Year-Plan.pdf   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Dennis Calhoun, Tim Ray Johnson, and Amanda Ulrich to discuss how Washington is helping people who were found not guilty by reason of insanity.   Guest: Tim Ray Johnson, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Washington Dennis Calhoun, Student, Washington Amanda Ulrich, Public Defender Washington   Resources: WA PD https://opd.wa.gov/ NGRI https://opd.wa.gov/forensic-civil-commitment Email Amdanda and Tim amanda@stebbinsullrich.com TRJDefense@hotmail.com   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Nat Jacob, Elizabeth Mustin, and Rachel Cortez to discuss new efforts by the Washington to recruit and retain Public Defenders.   Guest Nat Jacob, Recruitment and Retention Managing Attorney Western Washington, Washington Office of Public Defense Rachel Cortez, Recruitment and Retention Managing Attorney Eastern Washington, Washington Office of Public Defense Elizabeth Mustin, Supervising Attorney, Youth Criminal Defense Project, Washington Office of Public Defense     Resources: WA PD https://opd.wa.gov/ Fellowship https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&feature=shared&v=g5QiPP3PEfo https://opd.wa.gov/recruitment-and-retention https://opd.wa.gov/recruitment-and-retention/rural-public-defense-fellowship Emails Nat.jacob@opd.wa.gov Rachel.cortez@opd.wa.gov   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by federal public defender Amanda Bass Castro Alves to discuss the wrongful conviction of Tremane Wood. In 2004, Tremane was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to death in the State of Oklahoma. Just after that, his brother, who admitted to pulling the trigger and who stated Tremane was not responsible for the death, was given a life sentence just after Tremane's trial. So how is it that a person who did not kill anyone ended up on death row? All that and more on today's episode. Guest Amanda Bass Castro Alves, Assistant Federal Public Defender, District of Arizona   Resources: More About Tremane's Case https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/deeply-rooted-oklahoma-case-spotlight-tremane-wood https://www.huffpost.com/entry/death-row-felony-murder-oklahoma_n_67094c44e4b0f3da6456d60c https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oklahoma-sets-execution-tremane-wood_n_684afd19e4b0d6fb6cd8eabe Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Erica Nichols Cook, the head of the Iowa State Public Defender Wrongful Conviction Unit. On today's episode, Erica walks us through the case of Jerry Mark. In 1976, he was convicted of the murder of his brother, sister-in-law and their two children, but as you will hear, all the evidence points to the fact that Jerry Mark wasn't even in the state when the murder happened.     Guest Erica Nichols Cook, Director, Wrongful Convictions Unit, Iowa State Public Defender   Resources: More About Jerry's Case https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2024-11-19/jerry-mark-seeks-exoneration-for-murders-halloween-1975-cedar-falls   Contact Erica https://www.drake.edu/law/clinics-centers/clinic/wrongfulconvictionsclinic/ https://www.facebook.com/enicholscook/   Send Jerry a Letter   Non legal mail has to go through the mail processing facility: Jerry Mark, #0103896 Anamosa State Penitentiary (ASP) - 1106 PO Box 96777 Las Vegas, NV  89193       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Megan Walsh and Anthony Benz from the University of Minnesota. As we did on Tuesday, Hunter sat down with these two to highlight the work of a law school clinic. This clinic focuses on combating gun violence through both offensive and defensive litigation.     Guest Megan Walsh, Director, Gun Violence Prevention Clinic, University of Minnesota Anthon Benz, Student Attorney, University of Minnesota     Resources: Contact Megan https://law.umn.edu/course/7408/spring-2023/gun-violence-prevention-clinic/walsh-megan https://bsky.app/profile/meganwalshgvp.bsky.social Jacob Charles Article https://firearmslaw.duke.edu/assets/the-dead-hand-of-a-silent-past_-bruen-gun-rights-and-the-shackl.pdf       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home

Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Megan Graham to discuss how her law an technology clinic is helping Public Defenders deal with technology issues in their client's cases.   Guest Megan Graham, Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Director of Technology Law Clinic, University of Iowa College of Law   Resources: Contact Megan https://law.uiowa.edu/people/megan-graham https://bsky.app/profile/megankgraham.bsky.social   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors of Unchained Emily Napier-Singletary and Derek Singletary. Unchained is a non-profit organization based out of New York that seeks to “empower those currently and formerly incarcerated in the state of New York through policy development, community organizing and advocacy, research, and liberation education.” On today's episode, Derek and Emily discuss what happened both inside and outside of New York prisons during the New York Correctional Officer Illegal Wild Cat Strike.     Guest Emily Napier Singletary, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Unchained Derek Singletary, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Unchained   Resources: Unchained's Work https://www.weareunchained.org/   Murder of Robert Brooks https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/05/us/robert-brooks-beating-security-guard-plea https://cnycentral.com/news/local/this-is-whats-next-after-eight-former-cos-rejects-offers-in-robert-brooks-death-case-oneida-county-court-murder-manslaughter-inmate-marcy-correctional-facility https://13wham.com/news/local/former-correction-officers-return-to-court-now-facing-trial-for-inmates-death-robert-brooks-marcy-correctional-prison-new-york-crime-murder-beating-case-national-charges-officers-video-bodycam-attorney-general-governor- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/murder-charges-announced-death-robert-brooks-man-beaten-new-york-corre-rcna193019 https://theappeal.org/robert-brooks-murder-new-york-prisons-racism-brutality/   Illegal Wild Cat Strike https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-york-fires-2000-prison-guards-refuse-return-work-wildcat-strike-rcna195765 https://www.wkbw.com/news/i-team/low-staffing-levels-535-new-york-state-corrections-officers-resign-during-after-wildcat-strike https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2025/03/10/what-was-the-ny-wildcat-strike-like-for-incarcerated-people/   HALT Act https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center/explaining-the-halt-act https://ig.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/08/nys-oig-doccs-halt-report-8.5.24.pdf https://nysba.org/the-halt-act-and-solitary-confinement-in-new-york-state/?srsltid=AfmBOors7C8DaJYbPV9NWj-2lue3qO4vIgnoW145V5NDdkTAz6_OYCQ1     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by investigative journalist Anat Rubin to discuss her recent reporting on Public Defender Investigators in California. At times, investigators are the single most important person in a criminal defense case, and yet around the country, nearly all public defenders do not have access to necessary investigative resources. Today, Anat joins the show to discuss how the systemic underfunding of public defense investigators increases the risk of wrongful convictions by highlighting the story of an investigator who unsolved a murder.   Guest Anat Rubin, Investigative Journalist, CalMatters   Resources: Anat's Reporting https://calmatters.org/investigation/2025/06/public-defense-investigators-takeaways/ https://calmatters.org/investigation/2025/06/public-defense-investigators/   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Dujuan “Zoe” Kennedy of Force Detroit a Community Violence Intervention organization in Detroit. For decades, Detroit was known around the country for being the poster child for the decaying state of U.S. manufacturing. With this reputation as a decaying city came a reputation for high rates of violent crime, but over the past few years, Detroit has seen some of the lowest rates of homicides, gun crimes, and violent crimes it has in 60 years. Zoe joins the podcast to explain how through community interventions, and not policing, the city has provided a model for alternative solutions to violence.   Guest Dujuan “Zoe” Kennedy, Executive Director, Force Detroit, Michigan   Resources: Force Detroit https://forcedetroit.org/ More About Zoe https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/man-convicted-of-murder-turns-his-life-around-to-stop-violence-in-the-community/ https://www.instagram.com/dujuanzoe/ More About Remarkable Crime Rate Reductions in Detroit https://detroitmi.gov/news/detroit-partnerships-result-another-historic-drop-violent-crime-2024-fewest-homicides-1965-shootings https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-reports-historic-drop-in-violent-crime-2024/ https://detroitmi.gov/news/detroit-ends-2023-fewest-homicides-57-years-double-digit-drops-shootings-and-carjackings-thanks-dpd https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/detroit-homicide-drop-2024-1.7423641 https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/columnists/khalil-alhajal/2025/01/22/detroit-murder-rate-violent-crime-lansing-neighborhoods/77587006007/     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined Claire Valentin and Hayley Upshaw to discuss how the intersection of criminal and immigration law impacts kids. So far on the show, Hunter and various guests have explored the “Crimmigration” intersection as it pertains to adults. Now, Hunter, Hayley, and Claire unpack the ways this already cruel system is especially cruel for kid.   Guest Hayley Upshaw, Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco Public Defender Officer Claire Valentin, Managing Director of Innovation and Advocacy, Children's Law Center of Massachusetts   Resources: US Citizen Picked Up By ICE https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/20/us-citizen-jose-hermosillo-border-patrol https://news.azpm.org/p/azpmnews/2025/4/18/224512-us-citizen-in-arizona-detained-by-immigration-officials-for-10-days/ Contact Claire https://www.clcm.org/staff   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Ali Saidi, Deputy Public Defender in Contra Costa County, California. On this episode, Hunter and Ali discuss how Public Defenders can have a larger impact in immigration defense by bringing the services to the communities who need them the most. Guest Ali Saidi, Deputy Public Defender, Contra Costa County, California Resources: Contra Costa County Public Defender https://www.cocopublicdefenders.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ContraCostaPublicDefender/ https://www.instagram.com/cocopublicdefenders/ https://x.com/cocodefender Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Angla Chan of the San Francisco Public Defender Officer. This time, the two say down to discuss the history of sanctuary laws in California, why they are so important, and reflect on the reasons why people leave their home countries in the first place.     Guest Angela Chan, Chief of Confront and Advocate, San Francisco Public Defender's Office     Resources: Gov. Newsom's history with ordering juvenile probation in SF to turn youth over to ICE when he was SF Mayor in 2008. His "regret" over his prior actions in 2018 when he was running for governor. stories of Southeast Asian refugees who were incarcerated firefighters who CDCR turned over to ICE. SF Public Defender Office https://sfpublicdefender.org/ https://www.facebook.com/sfpublicdefender https://x.com/sfdefender https://www.instagram.com/sfpublicdefender/ https://bsky.app/profile/sfpublicdefender.sf.gov American Interventionism https://www.amazon.com/Jakarta-Method-Washingtons-Anticommunist-Crusade/dp/1541742400 Guatemala https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/jacobo-arbenz-guzman-deposed/ https://hmh.org/library/research/genocide-in-guatemala-guide/ https://cja.org/what-we-do/litigation/the-guatemala-genocide-case/ Laos https://www.history.com/articles/laos-most-bombed-country-vietnam-war https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/apr/27/i-dont-want-more-children-to-suffer-what-i-did-the-50-year-fight-to-clear-us-bombs-from-laos https://www.mnvietnam.org/story/the-cia-the-hmong-and-the-secret-war/index.html https://winwithoutwar.org/secret-war-forgotten-war-the-u-s-bombing-of-laos/ Cambodia https://www.history.com/articles/nixon-war-powers-act-vietnam-war-cambodia https://macmillan.yale.edu/gsp/us-involvement-cambodian-war-and-genocide-0     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home

Today, Hunter was joined once again by the Chief Public Defender of Delaware, Kevin O'Connell. This time, the two focused on the see-saw history of death penalty abolition in the state of Delaware. It may come as a surprise to many, but Delaware has historically been one of the most prolific death penalty states in America, and today, Kevin and Hunter discuss the politics and policies that kept the death penalty alive and thriving in the state. Finally, they discuss what lessons those interested in death penalty abolition can learn from the meandering path that Delaware took to get on the door step of a Constitutional ban on the practice.   Guest Kevin O'Connell, Chief Public Defender, Defender Services of Delaware   Resources: More on the Death Penalty in Delaware http://deathpenaltyinfo.org/delaware-officially-removes-death-penalty-from-state-statutes-eight-years-after-state-supreme-court-finds-it-unconstitutional https://deathpenalty.org/delaware-officially-repeals-its-death-penalty/ https://www.aclu-de.org/en/death-penalty-repeal         Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was by the Public Defender for the state of Idaho, Eric Fredericksen. Over the past two years, Public Defense in Idaho underwent a massive overhaul. For decades, the state has operated a county-based system that functioned with serious justice by geography problems, but with pressure from ACLU lawsuits, the state needed to change. So, they finally made the decision to transition to a state wide, state funded system. The transition, however, has been anything but smooth. Eric and Hunter discuss that transition, and why Eric is optimistic about the future given the strong support from the legislature and Governor in this first budget cycle.    Guest Eric Fredericksen, The State Public Defender, Idaho   Resources: Idaho Public Defender Reports Idaho Public Defense Workload Study https://www.boisestate.edu/sps-ipi/our-research/idaho-public-defense-workload-study/   News about the Transition https://isb.idaho.gov/blog/the-state-public-defender-act-continuing-the-journey-of-public-defense-in-idaho-by-jordan-s-crane/ https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/10/15/concerns-raised-about-idahos-new-public-defense-system-after-exodus-in-public-defenders/ https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/09/16/public-defense-changeover-raises-concerns-for-some/ https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/eric-fredericksen-to-lead-new-office-of-the-state-public-defender/ https://www.mtexpress.com/news/blaine_county/public-defense-transition-gets-off-to-rocky-start/article_1ac2a83a-8cc2-11ef-9f78-6ffe80dd4216.html https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/10/23/judge-demands-answers-from-idaho-state-public-defender-after-defendants-left-without-counsel/ https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article297887643.html https://dailymontanan.com/2025/01/06/headed-for-a-disaster-aclu-asks-idaho-supreme-court-to-order-public-defense-system-reform/ News About Death Penalty in Idaho https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/idaho-governor-signs-legislation-authorizing-firing-squad-as-states-primary-execution-method https://idahocapitalsun.com/2025/03/17/idaho-house-unanimously-passes-child-sex-abuse-death-penalty-bill/ https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-littles-statement-on-death-penalty-for-pedophiles/           Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Hans Menos and Robe Kenter of the Center for Policing Equity. They sat down to discuss the successes their organization has had in trying create a more equitable legal system and understanding of how we can create safer communities.     Guest Hans Menos, VP Public Safety Innovations and Government Affairs, Center for Policing Equity Rob Kenter, Senior Director of Public Safety, Center for Policing   Resources: Center for Policing Equity https://policingequity.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10276392455&gbraid=0AAAAACb2uw87ItPJ0G_93Si8AzxlC0WCD&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0qTCBhCmARIsAAj8C4ahIXfE1Rgj97RXl4rAs8f-QmLZ_fXFRtYpQ7oS9UjSONAw-5XNlXYaAoBgEALw_wcB https://www.instagram.com/policingequity/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/centerforpolicingequity/ https://www.facebook.com/CenterForPolicingEquity https://www.tiktok.com/@policingequity https://www.threads.com/@policingequity?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@policingequity   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by two San Francisco Public Defenders, Sujung Kim and Lilah Wolf, to discuss their recent Racial Justice Act Victory. This California law was designed in part to give public defenders the tools to get explicit and implicit racism out of the criminal legal system. Today, we discussed how it came to be, why it needs to be in place, and how public defenders in California and around the country could be using it.     Guest Sujung Kim, Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco, California Lilah Wolf, Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco, California   Resources: Contact the SF Public Defender ttps://sfpublicdefender.org/ https://www.facebook.com/sfpublicdefender https://x.com/sfdefender https://www.instagram.com/sfpublicdefender/   Exhibits from the Trial https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Qd5HC8wB7HuV_xoh6fHLQwRMmybJWShD?usp=sharing   Read More About the Case https://sfpublicdefender.org/news/2025/03/10462/ https://davisvanguard.org/2025/03/san-francisco-public-defenders-win-landmark-racial-justice-act-case/       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by two former police officers turned defense witness experts. Christina Sally and Chris Bertram joined the show to discuss their insights into the many ways in which police officers mess up the investigations into claims of child sexual assault cases. Guest Christina Sally PhD, Consultant, Defense Expert Witness, Retired Law Enforcement Officer Chris Bertram, Retired Chief of Police, Associate Professor, Defense Expert Witness Resources: Email Christina christinasallyphd@gmail.com https://www.drchristinasallyphd.com/ Email Chris chris@tbertramgroup.com https://www.tbertramgroup.com/team.php Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Los Angeles County Chief Public Defender Ricardo Garcia. This time, they discuss how the new LA County DA is trying to bring back the death penalty and the impact of Prop 36 and the Los Angeles Wildfires on Public Defenders and their clients.   Guest Ricardo Garcia, The Public Defender of Los Angeles County, California Resources: Contact the LA County Public Defender https://pubdef.lacounty.gov/ https://www.instagram.com/lapubdef/ https://www.facebook.com/LACOUNTYPD/ https://x.com/lapubdef https://www.linkedin.com/company/lapubdef LA DA Brings Back Death Penalty https://lacounty.gov/2025/03/25/los-angeles-public-defender-denounces-the-district-attorneys-decision-to-revive-the-death-penalty/ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/los-angeles-da-death-penalty Prop 36 https://lao.ca.gov/handouts/crimjust/2025/Fiscal-Impacts-of-Proposition-36-022525.pdf https://www.ppic.org/blog/early-implementation-of-prop-36-varies-widely-across-counties/     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again Elisabeth Pollock and for the first time Stephanie Kollmann. On today's episode, the three discuss the Fair Act in Illinois. This pending piece of legislation is set to be the first step for the state of Illinois to provide statewide support to Public Defense. Will it happen? Why is it necessary? All that and more on today's episode.   Guest Elisabeth Pollock, Chief Public Defender, Champagne County, Illinois Stephanie Kollmann, Policy Director, Children Family Justice Center, Northwestern University School of Law   Resources: Sixth Amendment Center Illinois https://6ac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6AC_illinois_report_2021.pdf Task Force Report https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/News/1378/Court-shining-light-on-the-need-for-indigent-defense-reform/news-detail/ Fair Act https://fairactil.org/ https://ilpublicdefenderstats.org/fairact/ Contact Stephanie https://www.law.northwestern.edu/legalclinic/cfjc/aboutus/   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by the Chief Public Defender for South Carolina's 9th Circuit, Cameron Blazer. This time, we discuss workload issues in her Circuit and how a new bail laws and immigration enforcement are making matters worse.   Guest Cameron Blazer, Circuit Public Defender, 9th Circuit, Charleston and Berkley, South Carolina   Resources: Email Cameron Here CBlazer@charlestoncounty.org SCCID https://sccid.sc.gov/ Bond Laws https://www.postandcourier.com/news/special_reports/bond-reform-law-one-year-impact-south-carolina-violent-crime/article_c1b6a062-3220-11ef-b36b-178c43f76495.html https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/3532.htm   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Andrew Crespo to continue the conversation about how we can improve how criminal law is taught. On this episode, we dive into the new criminal law text book that Andrew and his co-author, John Rappaport, recently published to learn a better way to teach criminal law.   Guest Andrew Crespo, Professor of Law, Morris Wasserstein Public Interest Professor of Law Executive Faculty Director, Institute to End Mass Incarceration, Harvard University   Resources: Andrew's Faculty Page https://hls.harvard.edu/faculty/andrew-m-crespo/ Andrew and John's Book https://aspenpublishing.com/products/crespo-criminallawamericanpenalsys?srsltid=AfmBOoqnaBc-2_PBCEJcaHFiEERzwgSJJwMWFPTXMtAl3xkWozObifci   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Alice Ristroph for the first of a two-part focus on how and why we teach Criminal Law the way we do. On today's episode, Hunter and Alice explore the historical roots of criminal law teaching, critique it, and discuss ways in which we can improve how criminal law is taught to law students.   Guest Alice Ristroph, Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School   Resources: Contact Alice Here https://www.brooklaw.edu/contact-us/ristroph-alice/writings/ Read Alice's Law Review Article https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/faculty/1257/   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Mano Raju, the Elected Chief Public Defender in San Francisco. In the past couple of weeks, Mano made the difficult decision to stop accepting new case assignments one day a week. Thanks to the tough on crime policies of DA Brooke Jenkins and Prop 36, the workloads for San Francisco Public Defenders have reach unsustainable numbers. How did we get here, what comes next, and will this be a harbinger of things to come in California? All that and more on today's episode.   Guest Mano Raju, Chief Public Defender, San Francisco, California   Resources: Coverage of the Office https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/09/public-defender-fentanyl-san-francisco-lurie/ https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/sf-public-defender-caseload-20329216.php   Contact Mano or the Office manohar.raju@sfgov.org https://sfpublicdefender.org/ https://www.facebook.com/sfpublicdefender https://x.com/sfdefender https://www.instagram.com/sfpublicdefender/ https://bsky.app/profile/manorajupd.bsky.social https://x.com/manorajupd?lang=en     Pictures of Beans https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1feblbsr1Nc4m-LrM4exCO3PyCM4v4ke7?usp=drive_link     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by Bob Kolstad, Maggie Bott, and Olivia Henstein to discuss why they are pushing Minnesota Public Defenders to create a new, independent union. In the past few years, the current union, organize under Teamsters, was able to secure massive salary raises for Public Defenders around the state. However, that strike threat was built without much help or support from the leadership of the Teamster's union. As a result, rank and file members, public defenders and the staff of the offices, are considering starting their own public defender lead union.   Guest Bob Kolstad, Public Defender, Hennepin County, Minnesota Maggie Bott, Public Defender, Hennepin County, Minnesota Olivia Henstein, Paralegal, Hennepin County, Minnesota   Resources: Check out UDAM Here https://uniteddefenseadvocatesminnesota.org/   Email Bob bob@robertkolstad.com Email Maggie mabott95@gmail.com Email Olivia olhenstein@yahoo.com     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by longtime Louisiana Criminal Defense Lawyer and President of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer, Jim Boren. Over the past year, Hunter has discussed the erosion of public defender independence since Remy Starns became the chief public defender of the state. Now, Remy Starns is slated to fire five chief public defenders from around the state who opposed some of the policies that consolidated power into his hands. Today's episode is all about how this has happened and what the criminal defense bat should do in response.   Guest Jim Boren, President, Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers   Resources: Email Jim jim@jamesboren.com Coverage of the Firings https://lailluminator.com/2025/05/09/louisiana-lawmakers-deny-state-public-defenders-power-grab-again/ https://lailluminator.com/2025/04/08/louisiana-bill-might-thwart-local-public-defenders-fighting-to-keep-their-jobs/ https://www.nola.com/news/courts/5-louisiana-chief-public-defenders-to-lose-their-jobs/article_09b183a6-011e-11f0-9b21-3746a0d291e9.html https://www.richlandtoday.com/article/459,public-defenders-defend-themselves-against-firings https://www.kalb.com/2025/03/20/louisiana-public-defenders-accuse-state-official-violating-their-free-speech/       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined by a whole host of characters from the Missouri Public Defender System. When Hunter last looked into Missouri Public Defense, he spoke with Annie Legomsky to discuss the remarkable project of implementing Holistic Defense statewide. As one of the only statewide systems with holistic defense, Missouri stands as a great example of how finding creative sources of funding can allow Public Defenders to demonstrate to legislators the potential Public Defense has to improve the community once it has the funding to work outside of the four corners of the court room.      Guest Mary Fox, Chief Public Defender, Missouri Kellie Duckering, District Defender, Carthage, Missouri Camille Iorio, Disposition Specialist, Child Defense Team, St. Louis, Missouri Ben Greene, Mitigation Specialist, Springfield, Missouri Mae Redmond, Client Advocate, Partners for Justice Mikayla Kitchen, Holistic Advocate, Missouri     Resources: Listen to My Episode w/Annie Here https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vJByEFrCzPreZ1uEJ6Syc?si=_3kujCGWT7mgKrElVJ_gHQ&nd=1&dlsi=07c74dd5ccd94d61 Contact the Missouri Public Defender Here https://publicdefender.mo.gov/     Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Anthony Benedetti, Chief Counsel of the Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services. This time, Hunter and Anthony dive into what can be done about the low hourly rates for CPCS's contract counsel and how recent courage from the bench and the state house gives them hope that those pay increases are in fact possible.     Guest Anthony Benedetti, Chief Counsel, Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services   Resources: CPCS Website https://www.publiccounsel.net/ Listen to my first episode with Anthony Here https://open.spotify.com/episode/3OxwnFFjrC1ruJPSDFywp5?autoplay=true       Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home