Public Defenseless

Hunter Parnell
  • 4.9 (70)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
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 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. 300 | How Mitigation is Helping Veterans Escape the Criminal Legal System w/Nancy Farrell and Dee Miller

    2 DAYS AGO

    300 | How Mitigation is Helping Veterans Escape the Criminal Legal System w/Nancy Farrell and Dee Miller

    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.   Guests: Nancy Farrell, Director, New York Vet Defense Dee Miller, Program Coordinator, Vet Defense   Resources: Connect With NY Vet Defense 585 219 4862 Email Info@NYSDA.org Website https://www.nysda.org/page/VetsDefTest   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

    1h 2m

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    299 | How NAPD is Fostering a National Forum for Public Defense Innovations w/Jeff Sherr

    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-changemakers-forum-tackles-public-defense-challenges/     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

    38 min
  3. 298 |What the History of ULCA’s Police Department Tells Us About the Issues with Campus Police w/Andrew Guerrero

    4 DAYS AGO

    298 |What the History of ULCA’s Police Department Tells Us About the Issues with Campus Police w/Andrew Guerrero

    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 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

    46 min
  4. 297 | The Successes and Failings of Plea Bargaining in Europe w/Rebecca Shaeffer

    NOV 7

    297 | The Successes and Failings of Plea Bargaining in Europe w/Rebecca Shaeffer

    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-video/trial-waiver-systems-in-europe-punishment-without-a-trial/ https://www.fairtrials.org/articles/publications/the-disappearing-trial/         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

    1h 10m
  5. 296 | How South Dakota is Fixing its Public Defense Crisis w/Aditi Goel

    NOV 6

    296 | How South Dakota is Fixing its Public Defense Crisis w/Aditi Goel

    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 funds, supports, and organizes Public Defense.   Guests: Aditi Goel, Deputy Director, Sixth Amendment Center   Resources: Read the Report Here: https://6ac.org/new-6ac-report-finds-south-dakota-counties-are-at-a-breaking-point-and-need-state-oversight/ New South Dakota Public Defense Commission https://www.sdpb.org/crime-courts/2024-10-07/public-defense-challenges-highlighted-as-commission-begins-work https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24943/265191 Task Force Report https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/committees/Indigent/ILSTaskForceFinalReportRecommendations.pdf             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

    1h 6m

  6. NOV 5

    295 | What Can be Learned About Plea Bargaining from Japan's Failed Plea Experiment w/Lucian Dervan

    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 Plea Bargaining Institute https://pleabargaininginstitute.com/about-pbi/founding-director/ Study on Japan and Korea https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3768687 https://news.belmont.edu/dervan-shares-research-on-plea-bargaining-with-japanese-officials/ Original Study https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/jclc/vol103/iss1/1/       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

    1h 6m
  7. 294 | A Judicial Candidate Speaks Out Against Retaliation by a High Ranking Member of Oregon Public Defense w/Rachel Philips

    OCT 31

    294 | A Judicial Candidate Speaks Out Against Retaliation by a High Ranking Member of Oregon Public Defense w/Rachel Philips

    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 Position 38, Multnomah County, Oregon   Resources: Links to the Judicial Race: League of women voters candidate forum:  https://youtu.be/goGR8mEDSy8?si=dx9UqPhHSI5BdzwM League of women voters interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTjwwMLP_JE LWV candidate statements : https://www.vote411.org/plan-your-vote  (If it doesn't pull it up, plug in my office address and it will by the race. My campaign website:   https://rachelphilipsforjudge.com/ Campaign Twitter:   https://x.com/Rachel4Judge Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelforjudge/ Oregonian article: https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/10/surprise-open-seat-for-multnomah-county-judge-draws-pack-of-contenders.html?outputType=amp Willamette Week article: https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/09/12/the-window-opens-and-shuts-quickly-for-unusual-judicial-vacancy-in-multnomah-county/ Multnomah Bar Association Candidate Statements:  https://www.mbabar.org/about/mba-news/candidate-statements---circuit-court-judge-position-38/ Also, here's the Oregonian's endorsement of the DA (not a surprise): https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2024/10/editorial-endorsement-november-2024-elect-jeff-auxier-to-multnomah-county-bench.html   And my answers to their questions: https://www.oregonlive.com/editors/2024/10/rachel-philips-multnomah-county-judge-position-38.html   Also Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Rachel_Philips   And the Multnomah Bar Association candidate statements: https://mbabar.org/judicialcandidates https://www.portlandmercury.com/election-guide-2024/2024/10/16/47453705/your-mercury-2024-election-cheat-sheet   Folder with Report and Statements https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QbvIppKcTDpSpLiQD4nFhA0IxLfVajiV?usp=sharing   Media coverage of defense crisis and investigation into OPDS, I tried to keep it mainly chronological, from oldest to most recent: https://www.oregoncapitalinsider.com/news/state-public-defense-office-out-of-money/article_b7e0e664-dae4-59fc-b846-23c86f14e8ae.html https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2021/07/as-state-public-defense-office-emerges-from-nearly-4-million-deficit-attorneys-raise-other-concerns-about-mismanagement.html https://www.portlandmercury.com/news/2021/08/11/35853142/women-defense-attorneys-accuse-oregons-public-defense-agency-of-retaliation-and-pay-inequity https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2021/08/aclu-calls-for-investigation-after-female-attorneys-raise-retaliation-pay-concerns-at-state-public-defenders-office.html This mentions Tara Herivel not being paid her negotitated rate: https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2022/03/states-embattled-public-defense-office-signed-contracts-worth-400000-to-hire-consultants-including-former-state-rep-jennifer-williamson.html Tara's guest column: https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2022/03/opinion-oregons-public-defense-crisis-rooted-in-longstanding-failures.html https://www.opb.org/article/2022/12/09/oregon-criminal-justice-system-publid-defender-shortage-crisis/ https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/16/day-after-firing-public-defense-commissioners-oregons-chief-justice-appoints-new-members/   Here is Oregon ACLU landing page with timeline and their letters and actions: https://www.aclu-or.org/en/campaigns/fighting-gender-based-discrimination-public-defense-system#:~:text=Timeline-,August%202021,J.D.%2C%20to%20begin%20the%20investigation. ht

    1h 7m
  8. 293 | Does Bail Reform Impact Crime Rates? w/Ames Grawert

    OCT 30

    293 | Does Bail Reform Impact Crime Rates? w/Ames Grawert

    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 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

    56 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
70 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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    307
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Public Defenseless

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