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PODCAST

Public Defenseless

Anyone paying attention can tell you that our criminal legal system is perpetuating cruelty and harm, but the complexity of the legal world overwhelms most people simply trying to get through another day. Public Defenseless explores the rot in the justice system and what we can do about it. Join host, Hunter Parnell, as he interviews top defense attorneys and criminal justice stakeholders from across the country as they pull apart the convoluted web of our criminal justice system. Like so many of

government politics

All Episodes

01:05:27

373 | How a Public Defender Investigator Unsolved a...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/07/09

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

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01:03:11

372 | The Community Organizers Helping Detroit Reach...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/07/08

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

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01:01:30

371 | The Cruelty Kids Face at the Intersection of...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/07/03

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

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01:09:19

370 | How Public Defenders Can Make a Difference in...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/07/02

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/

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01:05:47

369 | Why California Has and Needs its Immigration...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/07/01

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

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01:00:11

368 | The Fight to Abolish the Death Penalty in...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/06/26

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

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01:08:43

367 | After a Rocky Start, What Does the Future Hold...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/06/24

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

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01:02:24

366 | How Public Defenders Can Create Equitable...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/06/19

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

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01:07:56

365 | How San Francisco Public Defenders Used the...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/06/17

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,

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01:16:13

364 | How Cops Mess Up the Investigation Child Sex...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/06/12

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

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01:03:01

363 | Why is the LA County DA Bringing Back Death...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/06/10

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/

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01:11:06

362 | Is Illinois Taking the First Step to Establish...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/06/05

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

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01:25:24

361 | How a New Bail Law and Immigration Enforcement...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/06/03

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

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01:04:24

360 | Is There a Better Way to Teach Criminal Law...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/05/29

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:

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01:02:48

359 | Is There a Better Way to Teach Criminal Law?...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/05/27

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

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52:13

358 | Why has the San Francisco Public Defender...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/05/23

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

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01:06:14

357 | Why are Minnesota Public Defenders Trying to...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/05/22

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

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01:04:53

356 | How the Chief Public Defender of Louisiana is...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/05/20

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

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01:29:19

355 | How Missouri Public Defenders are Leading the...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/05/15

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

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01:08:41

354 | With so Many Good Things Happening in...

Public Defenseless ·

2025/05/13

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

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