Public Defenseless

Hunter Parnell
  • 4.8 (88)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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 you, Hunter is not an attorney, simply tired of a news cycle and talking heads that offer no real solutions to the ever-growing list of problems we face. Hunter hopes that with this information, you will share his belief that ordinary people still can make a difference.

  1. 430 | How Las Vegas Casinos Got a Special Court that Allows them to Punish Poverty on the Las Vegas Strip w/Dallas Anselmo and Olivia Miller

    1D AGO

    430 | How Las Vegas Casinos Got a Special Court that Allows them to Punish Poverty on the Las Vegas Strip w/Dallas Anselmo and Olivia Miller

    Today, Hunter was joined by Olivia Miller and Dallas Anselmo of the Clark County Public Defender Office. They joined to discuss the "corridor court" operating along the Las Vegas Strip. This speciality court, created at the urging of the casinos and resorts, funnels criminal defendants into a singular court room where people can be effectively banished from the entirety of the strip for seemingly minor crimes. In doing so, the corridor court gives casinos the power to unfairly police poverty along the strip.   As a note, the views expressed on today's show by Olivia and Dallas are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Clark County Public Defender Office.   Guest: Dallas Anselmo, Public Defender, Clark County, Nevada Olivia Miller, Public Defender, Clark County, Nevada   Resources: Learn More about the office https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/public_defender/   Learn More about the Courts https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/vegas-resorts-want-to-revive-court-geared-at-cleaning-up-strip-critics-say-it-was-a-failure https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/critics-say-this-court-program-targeted-the-homeless-heres-why-strip-casinos-want-it-back-3530051/ https://lasvegassun.com/news/2025/nov/13/nevada-lawmakers-revisit-court-that-barred-offende/ https://mynorthwest.com/national/nevada-governor-signs-sweeping-crime-bill-as-state-looks-to-boost-tourism/4167419 Contact Olivia and Dallas oliviamiller620@gmail.com dallasanselmo@gmail.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

    1h 13m
  2. 2025 Wrap Up

    12/24/2025

    2025 Wrap Up

    Today, Hunter wraps up 2025 with one last episode! Guest: Resources: Top 10 Episodes of 2025 334 | Was a Former Colorado Public Defender Fired for Raising Concerns over his Workload? w/Travis Weiner 335 | How Sec Def Austin Interfered with the 9/11 and U.S.S. Cole Case Plea Deals w/Allison Miller and Katie Carmon 336 | How the San Mateo Private Defender Program is Trying to Earn Back the Community's Trust w/Lisa Maguire and Harpreet Samra 328 | How the Laken Riley Act Could Get Innocent People Sent to Guantanamo Bay w/Ann Block and Nithya Nathan-Pineau 331 | How the Far West Texas Public Defenders Uncovered a Pattern of Discovery Violations in El Paso w/James McDermott and Paul Chambers 333 | How The American Eugenics Movement Helped Create Habitual Offender Laws w/Daniel Loehr 355 | How Missouri Public Defenders are Leading the Nation In Statewide Holistic Defender Services w/Missouri Public Defenders 322 | The Impact of and the Resistance to Mass Deportation Policies w/Hans Meyer and Holly Lucas 400 | Why the Lawyers Handling 80% of Massachusetts's Public Defender Cases Stopped Taking New Cases w/Shira Diner 316 | The Everyday Cruelty in Westminster Municipal Court w/Alison Gordon 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

    13 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    429 | How Technology Can Improve Public Defense in and out of the Courtroom w/Mohammed Al Rawi and Ryan Wolfe

    Today, Hunter was joined by Mohammed Al Rawi and Ryan Wolfe of ZLS.App. The three discussed how ZLS is helping public defenders improve case management with automated systems. With better case management systems, public defenders are better equipped to collect and track the data that public defenders need to justify their requests to the legislatures.   Guest: Mohammed Al Rawi, Co-Founder. ZLS.app Ryan Wolfe, Co-Founder, ZLS.app   Resources: Find ZLS Here https://zls.app/         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

    1 hr
  4. 428 | How Will New Leadership Handle Missouri Public Defender's Low Pay and the State's Mental Health Resource Crisis w/Matthew Crowell

    12/18/2025

    428 | How Will New Leadership Handle Missouri Public Defender's Low Pay and the State's Mental Health Resource Crisis w/Matthew Crowell

    Today, Hunter was joined by the new Chief Public Defender for the state of Missouri, Matthew Crowell. Matthew and Hunter discussed a range of topics that Matthew is now facing as the Chief and how he hopes to tackle them.   Guest: Matthew Crowell, Chief Public Defender, Missouri   Resources: Contact the Missouri Public Defender Here https://publicdefender.mo.gov/  Lawsuit https://www.aclu-mo.org/en/news/advocates-sue-missouri-department-mental-health-failing-treat-pretrial-detainees-living-mental         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

    1h 1m
  5. 427 | What Happened to Public Defense in Stanislaus County After They Started Talking About Not Taking New Cases? w/Jennifer Jennison

    12/16/2025

    427 | What Happened to Public Defense in Stanislaus County After They Started Talking About Not Taking New Cases? w/Jennifer Jennison

    Today, Hunter was joined once again by Stanislaus County Chief Public Defender Jennifer Jennison. Last time she was one the show, Jennifer detailed how she made the decision to make her office unavailable for new cases because of the unethical workload in her office. Now, Jennifer is back to tell us what came of that decision and what is next for the office.   Guest: Jennifer Jennison, Chief Public Defender, Stanislaus County, California   Resources: Modesto Bee Reporting https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article288551423.html Stanislaus County Public Defender https://www.stancounty.com/publicdefender/ OSPD Reporting on Public Defense in California https://www.ospd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Californias-58-Public-Defense-Systems-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

    1h 9m
  6. 426 | The Conservative Arkansas County Trying to Stop a Prison Being Built Next Door w/Lauren Gill

    12/11/2025

    426 | The Conservative Arkansas County Trying to Stop a Prison Being Built Next Door w/Lauren Gill

    Today, Hunter was joined by Bolts Magazine staff writer, Lauren Gill. Back in September, Lauren authored a remarkable piece about how a small county in rural Arkansas responded to the threat of a new prison being built in their back yard.   Guest: Lauren Gill, Staff Writer, Bolts Mag   Resources: Check Out Lauren's Work https://x.com/laurenk_gill https://boltsmag.org/authors/lauren-gill/ Read the Article Here https://boltsmag.org/arkansas-prison-franklin-county/         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

    52 min
  7. *AUDIO FIXED* 425 | How Ramsey County Prosecutors and Public Defenders are Collaborating to Improve the Legal System w/John Choi and Greg Egan

    12/09/2025

    *AUDIO FIXED* 425 | How Ramsey County Prosecutors and Public Defenders are Collaborating to Improve the Legal System w/John Choi and Greg Egan

    Today, Hunter was joined by Greg Egan and John Choi. For the first time on the show, a Public Defender and the District Attorney join the show at the same time to describe how their collaborative efforts have improved public safety without mass incarceration.   Guest: Greg Egan, Public Defender, Ramsey County, Minnesota John Choi, Elected District Attorney, Ramsey County, Minnesota   Resources: Contact John https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/leadership/county-attorneys-office/meet-john-j-choi https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/leadership/county-attorneys-office john.choi@co.ramsey.mn.us https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/projects-initiatives/transforming-systems-together/youth-justice-transformation Contact Greg linkedin.com/in/greg-egan-2a5a5359 greg.egan@pubdef.state.mn.us   We Resolve https://weresolve-mn.com/about-us/         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

    1h 6m
  8. 424 | If You Cannot Afford an Attorney, None Will Be Appointed to You w/Andrew Davies and Shelby Sirivore

    12/04/2025

    424 | If You Cannot Afford an Attorney, None Will Be Appointed to You w/Andrew Davies and Shelby Sirivore

    Today, Hunter was joined once again by Andrew Davies and Shelby Sirivore of the Deason Center. This time, the two join the show to help us understand the policy decisions that local governments make that increase or decrease the likelihood that a person who cannot afford an attorney will actually get one appointed if they want it.   Guest: Andrew Davies, Director of Research, Deason Center, Southern Methodist University Shelby Sirivore, Contractor, Deason Center, Southern Methodist University   Resources: Read the Report https://scholar.smu.edu/deasoncenter/18/   Read more from the Deason Center https://scholar.smu.edu/deasoncenter/ Check out Deason's New Website https://www.smu.edu/law/centers-and-initiatives/deason-center/work/research/getting-misdemeanors-right/getting-magistration-right         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

    1h 7m
See All (441)

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
88 Ratings

About

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 you, Hunter is not an attorney, simply tired of a news cycle and talking heads that offer no real solutions to the ever-growing list of problems we face. Hunter hopes that with this information, you will share his belief that ordinary people still can make a difference.

Information

  • Creator
    Hunter Parnell
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    441
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Public Defenseless

You Might Also Like