Today, Hunter sat down with longtime death penalty abolitionist activist Abraham Bonowitz. On previous episodes about death penalty abolition, the show has primarily focused on the successes and failures of the fight in the court room. Today however, Abe joins the show to discuss the types of media campaigns and coalition building that is necessary to fight and ultimately abolish the death penalty outside of the four corners of the court house. Guest Abraham Bonowitz, Executive Director, Death P...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 318
Today, Hunter sat down with Keri Williams to continue our coverage of Municipal Courts in Colorado. This time, they discussed how Pueblo Municipal Courts were giving people years in jail for contempt of court charges. Guest Keri Williams, Attorney, Pueblo, Colorado Resources: 2017 ACLU Report on Colorado Municipal Courts https://www.aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/JUSTICE-DERAILED-web.pdf Coverage of Municipal Courts in Pueblo by Denver Post https://www.denverpost.com/2024/07/21/pueblo-municipal...
Jan 14, 2025•54 min•Ep. 317
Today, Hunter sat down with Alison Gordon to continue our coverage of Municipal Courts in Colorado. This time, the discussion focuses on the extremely punitive Westminster Municipal Court. Guest Alison Gordon, Associate Attorney, McCabe Law Resources: 2017 ACLU Report on Colorado Municipal Courts https://www.aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/JUSTICE-DERAILED-web.pdf Contact Alison Alison@mccabe-law.net https://www.mccabe-law.net/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @Publi...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 316
Today, Tristan Gorman and Rebecca Wallace are back this time to discuss municipal courts in Colorado. This episode is the first of our four-part series on municipal courts in Colorado. This episode gives a general overview of problems in this courts and then dives into the outright denial of counsel happening in Grand Junction’s Municipal Court. Guest Tristan Gorman, Policy Director, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Rebecca Wallace, Policy Director, Colorado Freedom Fund Resources: 2017 ACLU Report...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 315
Today, Tristan Gorman and Rebecca Wallace join the show to discuss the policies, ballot initiatives, and rhetoric from district attorneys that is pushing Colorado back in a “tough on crime” direction. Through their work with their respective organizations, Rebecca and Tristan are intimately familiar with the conversations that the state legislature engage in around crime and the criminal legal system. Guest Tristan Gorman, Policy Director, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Rebecca Wallace, Policy Di...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 314
A Bonus Episode for everyone! On Monday, I had a discussion/debate with Daniel Carr, a former cop from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today, we discussed/debated the use of force in the SrA Roger Fortson, the Execution of Marcellus Williams, and the citation issued to a homeless, pregnant woman in Louisville Kentucky Guest Daniel Carr, Police Law Newsletter Resources: Links to Daniel’s Work https://linktr.ee/policelawnews SrA Roger Fortson Case https://www.npr.org/2024/08/23/nx-s1-5088020/roger-fortso...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Thank you to everyone who has made the show possible this year. Whether you are a listener, a subscriber, a guest, or a friend of the show, this show would not be possible without you! Thanks for another amazing year, and Hunter is looking forward to another incredible year in 2025. *NO EPISODES THIS THURSDAY OR NEXT TUESDAY* Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patre...
Dec 23, 2024•21 min
Today, Hunter is joined by professor Ráchael Powers to discuss Marsy’s Law. For those unfamiliar, Marsy’s Law is one of many types of Victim’s Bill of Rights law that exist around the country. These laws are designed to give victims of crime more rights in the criminal legal system. The only problem? They often directly conflict with the rights of the accused. Today, Ráchael joins us to talk about a report she published for the NACDL about the dangers of Marsy’s Law. Guests: Ráchael Powers Resou...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Eric Fish and Chesa Boudin. This time, Eric and Chesa join the show to discuss a recent law review article they published discussing ways to strengthen pre-trial adjudication. As discussed at length on the show, our criminal legal system has killed the jury trial. As a result, opportunities to bring injustices, misconduct, and corruption to light have faded away. Chesa and Eric’s law review article attempts to point out places around the country that have fi...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Today, Hunter is joined by Professor Jacob Charles to discuss the Second Amendment. Since D.C. v Heller in 2008, the Second Amendment transformed from nearly dead letter law to one of the most rapidly changing areas of the Constitution. Jake joins the show to detail that transformation and explain the impacts it is having on our legal system. Guests: Jacob Charles, Professor of Law, Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law Resources: Contact Jake https://law.pepperdine.edu/faculty-research/jac...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Today, Hunter is joined by Dr. Julie Mack and Randy Papetti to discuss Shaken Baby Syndrome. Also known as Abusive Head Trauma, Shaken Baby Syndrome started out as an untested hypothesis meant to help parents keep their children safe. However, police and prosecutors quickly realized the power SBS had to secure convictions. Since then, dozens of people’s convictions have been overturned as courts around the country realize that SBS is an unfounded, junk science that does not belong in the crimina...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Today, Hunter is joined by Rob Perkins and Dan Eichinger to discuss Public Defense in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. If you’ve listened to the show long enough, then you know that Pennsylvania was one of the last states to provide any funding for Public Defense. While the $7.5 million allocated to support Public Defense is welcome, it is insufficient to account for the decades of underfunding/understaffing in places like Allegheny County. Yet, Dan and Rob believe that with the help of new count...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Today, Hunter is joined by Professor Stephen Bright to discuss his new book, the Fear of Too Much Justice. Over decades of work as an attorney, Steve has been a leading voice against the death penalty and in support of major overhauls to our criminal legal system. Today, Steve joins the show to discuss how the Fear of Too Much Justice is stopping people from reforming our criminal legal system. Guests: Stephen Bright, Professor of Law, Yale University School of Law Resources: Stephen Bright’s Fa...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Today, Hunter is joined the Editor of the Virginia Defender Newspaper, Phil Wilayto to try and understand a simple question: Why are people incarcerated at Virginia’s Red Onion State Super Max Prison self-immolating just to get transferred to a new prison? Guests: Phil Wilayto, Editor, Virginia Defender Newspaper Resources: On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality will hold a public meeting titled “Crisis at Red Onion Supermax: How you can help!” The meetin...
Dec 04, 2024•44 min•Ep. 307
Today, Hunter is joined by Professor Joanna Schwartz to discuss Civil Rights Litigation. Like they did for the rights of criminal defendants, the conservative legal movement has slowly chipped away at Civil Rights protections under Section 1983. Today, Joanna joins to talk about the many ways it is nearly impossible for a person to get a remedy after the government violates their civil rights. Guests: Joanna Schwartz, Professor of Law, UCLA Resources: Follow Joanna on Twitter https://x.com/JCSch...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Today, Hunter is joined by Amanda Jack of the New York Legal Aid Society. Today, Amanda and Hunter are discussing the Harvey Weinstein trial. Specifically, they are discussing why the conviction was overturned, why the New York legislature is trying to change the rules of evidence, and why it’s a terrible idea for them to do it. Guests: Amanda Jack, Policy Director Criminal Practice, NY Legal Aid Society Resources: Follow Amanda on Twitter https://x.com/brooklynpd Federal Rule of Evidence 413 an...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 305
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Andre de Gruy, Chief Public Defender of Mississippi. The last time Andre was on the show, he and Hunter discussed some positive changes he was hoping to get out of the 2024 legislative session. While not everything from the last episode came to pass, Andre believes Mississippi public defense is ever so slowly improving. Guests: Andre de Gruy, State Public Defender, Mississippi Resources: OSPD Website https://www.ospd.ms.gov/ Marshall Project Mississippi http...
Nov 26, 2024•59 min•Ep. 304
Today, Hunter is joined be the Co-Founder of Reduct, Prabhas Pokharel. Building from Tuesday’s conversation about tech, AI, and Public Defense, Hunter and Prabhas explore the ways AI and Reduct can help Public Defenders take on Police and Prosecutors. Guests: Prabhas Pokharel, Co-Founder, Reduct Resources: Reduct Website, Socials, and Contact https://reduct.video/ https://x.com/ReductVideo prabhas@reduct.video Standford Legal AI Study https://www.lawnext.com/2024/06/in-redo-of-its-study-stanford...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 302
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Professor Andrew Ferguson. Last time Andrew was on the show, he and Hunter discussed the state of the 4th Amendment in the digital era. This time, Hunter and Andrew dive into three law review articles Andrew has recently published. The first discussed a new framework for analyzing the 4th Amendment. The second and third articles are all about new, dangerous was police and prosecutors are relying on AI. Guests: Andrew Ferguson, Professor of Law, American Univ...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 302
Today, Hunter is joined by IV Ashton, Founder and President of Legal Server, to discuss how a quality case management system and powerful AI tools can help Public Defenders pose more systemic challenges to police and prosecutors Guests: IV Ashton, President and Founder, Legal Server Resources: Legal Server Website https://www.legalserver.org/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 301
Today, Hunter is joined by Nancy Farrell and Dee Miller of the New York Vet Defense Program. Previously on the show, Hunter and other guests have described the power of veteran and other treatment courts. However, we have often lamented at the limited scope that this courts offer veterans who need help but just not drug or alcohol treatment. With this program, Nancy and Dee offer veterans the culturally competent mitigation and service connection that helps Vets escape the criminal legal system....
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 300
Today, Hunter is joined once again by NAPD’s Jeff Sherr. This time, they sat down to discuss NAPD’s new Change Maker Forum, what Hunter learned from attending, and how NAPD hopes to use it to spark new, impactful changes in Public Defense. Guests: Jeff Sherr, Director of Training, National Association of Public Defense Resources: NAPD Changemaker Forum 2025 https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-changemakers-forum-napd-strategic-exchange-3/ Notes from 2024 https://publicdefenders.us/blogs/napd-cha...
Nov 13, 2024•38 min•Ep. 299
Today, Hunter is joined by Ph.D. candidate and law student Andrew Gurrero to discuss his research about the evolution of the UCLA police department. In this episode, Hunter and Andrew explore the origins of the department and the forces that drove the department away from its original mandate. Guests: Andrew Gurrero, Ph.D Candidate, Harvard Resources: Read Sources Discussed in the Episode Here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12_jIy21jUCsPS4qEqSAMjxxvx1Tlce6r?usp=sharing Contact Hunter Par...
Nov 12, 2024•46 min•Ep. 298
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Rebecca Schaffer to discuss plea bargaining in Europe. As we did on Tuesday, this episode aims to help people understand the intractable problems with plea deals and what countries are doing to try and ameliorate those problems Guests: Rebecca Schaffer, Former Legal Director, Fair Trials Resources: Follow Rebecca on Twitter https://x.com/rebeccashaeffe?lang=en Email Rebecca rebecca.shaeffer@gmail.com Read the Reports https://www.fairtrials.org/articles/film-...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 297
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Aditi Goel of the Sixth Amendment Center. This time, we discuss their recent report about Public Defense in South Dakota. Like many county based, county funded Public Defense systems, South Dakota is plagued with underfunding, under staffing, lack of independence, and cost saving practices that make Public Defense ineffective. Yet, this episode has a ray of hope because for the first time in its history, the state appears poised to radically reimagine how it...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 296
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Lucian Dervan to discuss plea bargaining. This time, he joins to discuss what we can learn about plea bargaining from Japan’s failed attempt to implement plea bargaining system. Guests: Lucian Dervan, Professor of Law and Director of Criminal Justice Studies, Belmont College of Law, Founding Director of the Plea Bargaining Institute Resources: Link to Lucian’s book on Plea Bargaining https://www.americanbar.org/products/inv/book/440099902/ Lucian’s Work with...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Today, Hunter is joined by Oregon Criminal Defense and Victim’s Rights lawyer Rachel Philips. Over the past three years, Rachel has been outspoken about retaliation that women attorneys faced from members of the Oregon Public Defense Commission. She joins the show to discuss her efforts to bring that retaliation to light and to discuss her candidacy for a seat on the bench in Multnomah County. Guests: Rachel Philips, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Victim’s Rights Lawyer, Candidate for Judicial Positio...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 294
Today, Hunter is joined by Ames Grawert of the Brennan Center to discuss a recent Brennan Center report of Bail Reform’s impact (or lack thereof) on crime rates. Guests: Ames Grawert, Senior Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice Resources: Read the Report https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/bail-reform-and-public-safety Read more of Ames’ Work https://www.brennancenter.org/experts/ames-grawert Read More of Brennan Center’s Work https://www.brennancenter.org/ Contact Hunter Parn...
Oct 30, 2024•56 min•Ep. 293
Today, Hunter is joined by Raj Jayadev of Silicon Valley De-Bug to discuss participatory defense. In the early 2000’s, Raj and SVDB sought to give communities a voice in places they traditionally were excluded from or ignored. Eventually, the community made clear that they needed and wanted a way to be more involved with the criminal legal system. From there, SVDB came up with participatory defense to help communities navigate the criminal legal system and play an active role in the defense of m...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 292
Today, Hunter is joined by Jee Park, the Executive Director of the Innocence Project of New Orleans to discuss wrongful convictions and post-conviction work in Louisiana. After our past two episodes, it should be clear that there are serious issues with adult and youth representation in Louisiana. Unfortunately, this keeps groups like IPNO extremely busy, and that ensures that inevitably they will not be able to help every person who Louisiana has wrongfully convicted. Guests: Jee Park, Executiv...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 291
