Public Defenseless

Hunter Parnell

Anyone paying attention can tell you that our criminal legal system perpetuates cruelty and harm, but the complexity of the legal world overwhelms most people just trying to get through another day.

Public Defenseless explores the rot in the system and what we can do about it. Host and public defender Hunter Parnell talks with defense attorneys, advocates, scholars and journalists from across the country as they pull apart the system's convoluted web.

Views are the host's and guests' own, not their employers'. Not legal advice.

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#534
Thursday · 1 hr 5 min
534 | How the Bail Project is Fighting to Abolish Cash Bail and Free People from Pre-Trial Incarceration w/Erin George
On this episode, Hunter talks with Erin George, National Director of Policy at The Bail Project. Few topics in criminal legal policy have drawn more attention in recent years than bail reform. Erin explains what drives the intense, polarizing debates around bail reform and the policy changes we can fight for to eliminate cash bail. Guest: Erin George, National Director of Policy, The Bail Project Resources: Learn more about The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bailproject/ https://www.facebook.com/bailproject/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-49-TzVvamru9KecPuSYKw https://www.tiktok.com/@bailproject https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bail-project/ https://x.com/bailproject Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts:https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links:https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#532
Wednesday · 1 hr 8 min
533 | The Former Public Defenders Trying to Expose the Truth of the Criminal Legal System to the Masses w/Eliza Orlins and Thea Johnson
On this episode, Hunter talks with two former public defenders, Eliza Orlins and Thea Johnson, about their podcast, Criminally Online. From their years as public defenders, Eliza and Thea know the criminal legal system looks very different from the way mass media portrays it. They built Criminally Online to counter the copaganda so prevalent in mainstream media, showing people the reality of the system so that society thinks differently about it. Guests: Eliza Orlins, Co-Host, Criminally Online Thea Johnson, Co-Host, Criminally Online, and Professor of Law, Rutgers Law School Resources: Criminally Online, a Lemonada Media original series: https://link.podtrac.com/crimonline Follow Eliza: https://www.instagram.com/eorlins/ https://elizaorlins.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@eliza.orlins https://www.tiktok.com/@elizaorlins https://www.threads.com/@eorlins https://x.com/elizaorlins Follow Thea: https://www.instagram.com/theabjohnson/ https://bsky.app/profile/theabjohnson.bsky.social https://x.com/TheaBJohnson Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts:https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links:https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#533
Tuesday · 43 min
532 | How American Samoans in Whittier, Alaska, Fought a Prosecution ... and Won w/Alex Burness
On this episode, Hunter welcomes back Alex Burness, staff writer for Bolts. Last time Alex was on the show, he shared the gut-wrenching story of a community of American Samoans living in Whittier, Alaska, facing criminal prosecution for running for local office and voting in elections. Contrary to common belief, people born in American Samoa are U.S. nationals, not citizens, so they can't vote in state or federal elections. Alex is here to discuss how that community fought the prosecutions and won. Guest: Alex Burness, Staff Writer, Bolts Resources: Read Alex's reporting: https://boltsmag.org/prosecuted-for-voting-american-samoans-alaska/ https://boltsmag.org/charges-dropped-against-american-samoans-punished-for-voting-in-alaska/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts:https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links:https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#531
October 29 · 1 hr 16 min
531 | What Does the Los Angeles County Public Defender Union Think of Their New Workload Study? w/Karl Fenske
On this episode, Hunter is joined by Karl Fenske, a long time Los Angeles County Public Defender and lead steward for Local 148. On this episode, Hunter and Karl discuss the union's take on the newest workload study of the Los Angeles Public Defender Office. Guest: Karl Fenske, Lead Steward, Los Angeles County Public Defenders Union, Local 148 and Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender Resource: Read the Report Here https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA5011-1.html Learn More About the Union Here https://local148.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LApubdefunion https://x.com/LApubdefunion https://bsky.app/profile/lapubdefunion.bsky.social https://www.instagram.com/lapubdefunion Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts:https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links:https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#520
October 28 · 1 hr 5 min
530 | What Will it Take to Abolish the Death Penalty in California w/Diane Lozano
On this episode, Hunter speaks once again with Diane Lozano, the former Chief Public Defender for the State of Wyoming and current Executive Director of Full Picture Justice. In her new role, Diane is focused on helping defenders prepare for capital cases with the hope of abolishing the death penalty around the country. Guest: Diane Lozano, Executive Director, Full Picture Justice Resource: Learn More Here: https://www.fullpicturejustice.org/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#529
October 27 · 1 hr 1 min
529 | How Does the Leadership of the Los Angeles County Public Defender Plan to Use Their New Workload Study? w/Ricardo Garcia and Traci Blackburn
On this episode, Hunter is joined once again by Ricardo García and for the first time, Traci Blackburn. On September 10th, 2026, a new workload study of the Los Angeles Public Defender was published by RAND. Ricardo and Traci joined the show to discuss the findings of the study and how leadership plans on using the study to get more funding for the office. Guest: Ricardo García, Los Angeles County Public Defender Traci Blackburn, Assistant Public Defender, Los Angeles County Public Defender Resource: Read the Report Here https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA5011-1.html Learn More About the Office Here https://pubdef.lacounty.gov/ https://www.instagram.com/lapubdef/ https://www.facebook.com/LACOUNTYPD/ https://x.com/lapubdef https://www.linkedin.com/company/lapubdef/home/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#527
October 22 · 1 hr 4 min
528 | Will Utah's Tough-on-Crime Policies Force Salt Lake's Public Defenders to Stop Taking New Cases? w/Richard Mauro.
On this episode, Hunter welcomes back Richard Mauro, executive director of the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association. Richard explains how his office built Project Rio, a program that connects people experiencing homelessness with services instead of jail. Richard and Hunter also dig into how state-level criminal justice policy is piling workload pressure onto public defenders, and why that pressure may not be sustainable. Guest: Richard Mauro, Executive Director, Salt Lake Legal Defender Association, Utah Resource: Contact the Office Here:https://www.sllda.com/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
October 20 · 1 hr
527 | Why it is so Important for Public Defenders to Expand the Right to Counsel to Family Defense w/Kelly Driscoll
On this episode, Hunter speaks with Kelly Driscoll. As the Bureau Chief for the Family Defense Unit of the Montana Public Defender, Kelly is responsible for overseeing the defense of parents and kids in the family legal system. She joins the show to explain how Montana set up this system and why it is so important for Public Defenders to do more than just criminal defense. Guest: Kelly Driscoll, Family Defense Bureau Chief, Montana State Public Defender Resource: Learn More About the Office Here:https://publicdefender.mt.gov/ Case Law on the right to counsel in Family Court in Montana https://civilrighttocounsel.org/major_developments/montana-parents-have-constitutional-right-to-counsel-in-adoptions-says-high-court/ https://civilrighttocounsel.org/uploaded_files/183/4_AWS_Opinion_published.pdf https://www.leagle.com/decision/1993979852p2d1271976 Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
October 16 · 37 min
Bonus: Vote No on Proposition 132, the Colorado Fentanyl Measure From a Conservative Dark Money Group, with Kyle Giddings
On this episode, Hunter is joined once again by Kyle Giddings, the Deputy Director of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition and the Campaign Chair for Vote no on 132. These two sat down to discuss the Colorado Ballot Initiative, Prop 132, another attempt by the Colorado Conservative dark money group, Advance Colorado, to restart the war on drugs. Guest:Kyle Giddings, the Deputy Director of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition and the Campaign Chair for Vote no on 132, Colorado Resource: Learn More about Prop 132: https://noon132.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24337605029&gbraid=0AAAABE7pyO0T69Hy4YQZljkynzrlV47kC&gclid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6PhFJoWANSo08mY0SACwL77PJbarugzIUGIfmWL7MdWwyezCRifv-ZxoCM7IQAvD_BwE Learn More about Advance Colorado: https://www.whoisadvancecolorado.org/ https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2026/10/11/the-most-influential-republican-in-the-state-doesnt-hold-office-6/ https://www.denverpost.com/2026/10/08/advance-colorado-ballot-measures-election-2026/ https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/09/17/warp-democracy-in-colorado/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#526
October 15 · 1 hr 5 min
526 | How Public Defenders can use New Second Amendment Supreme Court Case to Win Self-Defense Claims w/Jacob Charles
On this episode, Hunter was joined once again by Professor Jacob Charles. Last time Jacob was on the show, he and Hunter discussed the groundbreaking Second Amendment cases of Bruen and Rahimi. This time, Jacob sat down to examine the two newest Supreme Court Second Amendment Cases Wolford and Hemani and detail what these cases could mean for criminal defense lawyers. Guest: Jacob Charles, Professor of Law, Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law Resource: Contact Jacob Here https://law.pepperdine.edu/faculty-research/jacob-charles/ https://bsky.app/profile/jacobdcharles.bsky.social Read the Cases Here Hemani https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1234_g2bh.pdf Wolford https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1046_nmio.pdf Public Defenders of D.C. Filings https://efile.dcappeals.gov/public/caseView.do?csIID=67629&utm https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/oral-arguments/Amicus%20Curiae%20Brief%2023-CF-514.pdf Contact Hunter Parnell: Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram: @PublicDefenselessPodcast YouTube: @publicdefenselesspodcast Facebook: Public Defenseless Podcast Bluesky: @pdefenselesspod.bsky.social Twitter: @PDefenselessPod Website: 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 *** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER***
#525
October 14 · 42 min
525 | Will Police Soon be Deploying Armed Autonomous Drones to a Neighborhood Near You? w/Matthew Guariglia
On this episode, Hunter is joined once again by Matthew Guariglia. At his work at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Matthew has become one of the leading voices sounding the alarms about the proliferation of mass surveillance technology. Now, Matthew is here to discuss a new, frightening technology that may be coming to a neighborhood near you: Armed Autonomous Drones. Guest: Matthew Guariglia, Senior Policy Analyst, Electronic Frontier Foundation Resource: Follow Matthew's Work Here:https://www.eff.org/about/staff/dr-matthew-guariglia-0 https://www.matthewguariglia.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/mguariglia.bsky.social Read More About the Drones Here: https://www.404media.co/new-orleans-cops-published-policy-document-allowing-weaponized-drones/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#524
October 13 · 1 hr 11 min
524 | How Police and Their Unions Became One of the Most Powerful Forces in American Politics w/Stuart Schrader
On this episode, Hunter is joined by Professor Stuart Schrader to discuss his book Blue Power: How Police Organized to Protect and Serve Themselves. In his book, Stuart walks readers through the long history of how police departments around the country organized themselves to create some of the most influential organizations in all of American politics. Guest: Stuart Schrader, Associate Professor of History, Johns Hopkins University Resource: Pick up a Copy of the Book Here:https://shorturl.at/O0yaq Follow Stuart Here:https://bsky.app/profile/stschrader1.bsky.social https://soc.jhu.edu/directory/stuart-schrader/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#522
October 8 · 56 min
523 | How the Number One Tool for Mass Deportations Might be Unconstitutional w/Eric Fish
On this episode, Hunter speaks once again with Professor Eric Fish about a law review article he published about our immigration system. Since it was implemented in 1996, expedited removal has become the number one tool for deportations in America. However, Eric is here to explain how the whole system might be unconstitutional and ripe for challenge. Guest: Eric Fish, Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law Resource: Read Eric's Article Here https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6568060 Contact Eric https://law.ucdavis.edu/people/eric-fish Show note: Hunter mentions a U.S. citizen deported to Mexico after agents refused to let him get his birth certificate. That's Brian José Morales García, born in Denver and deported in April 2026 after a traffic stop in Texas. He returned to the United States on Aug. 30, 2026, after the federal government reached an agreement with his lawyers in his lawsuit. Read the Texas Tribune's reporting: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/23/texas-united-states-citizen-deported-ice-detention-brian-morales/ https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/30/texas-us-citizen-deported-central-texas-returns-america/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#521
October 6 · 57 min
522 | After Nearly Two Decades as an Immigration Judge, Why Did She Decide to Leave Under the Second Trump Administration? w/Judge Mimi Tsankov
On this episode, Hunter speaks with Judge Mimi Tsankov, former president of the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ). Over nearly two decades on the bench, she served under five administrations and led the association that speaks for the country's immigration judges. Now she joins the show to explain what's broken in a court system that answers to the Justice Department, and why she decided to leave. Guest: Judge Mimi Tsankov, Former President, National Association of Immigration Judges Resources: Judge Tsankov's website: https://neutralstrategy.com National Association of Immigration Judges: https://www.naij-usa.org/ TRAC Immigration: https://tracreports.org/immigration/reports/judgereports/00291NYC/index.html Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#519
October 1 · 1 hr
521 | How the Media is Missing What is Really Causing Alaska's Legal System to Fail w/Amanda Harber and David Case
In this episode, Hunter speaks with two criminal defense lawyers and former Public Defenders from the state of Alaska, Amanda Harber and David Case. For the entire 21st Century, the Alaska Legal System has been in a crisis. Too few lawyers. Too much space to cover. And recently, a tough on crime Governor who has pushed to solve social problems with incarceration. Along the way, many in the media have missed what is causing the Alaska legal system to fail. Guest: Amanda Harber, Criminal Defense Lawyer and Former Public Defender, Alaska David Case, Criminal Defense Lawyer and Former Public Defender, Alaska Resource: Read More About Alaska Here https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2025/03/25/alaska-supreme-court-places-new-limits-on-pretrial-delays/ https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2025/02/14/alaskas-chief-justice-vows-to-reduce-trial-delays-we-must-and-we-will-improve/ https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2025/01/09/the-neverending-case-how-10-years-of-delays-have-prevented-a-horrendous-sexual-assault-allegation-from-going-to-trial/ https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2026/01/21/alaska-lawmaker-calls-for-hiring-more-prosecutors-and-public-defenders-to-reduce-extreme-delay-in-criminal-cases/ Contact Amdanda and David https://www.49thstatelaw.com/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#520
September 30 · 1 hr 5 min
520 | Can Prisons be Reformed? What History Tells Us About the Failed Attempts w/C.J. Ciaramella
On this episode, Hunter is joined by C.J. Ciaramella of Reason. Recently, C.J. authored an article for Reason that provides an overview of different eras of prison policy and failed reform. In their discussion, Hunter and C.J. explore these eras of prison policy, the reasons why reforms failed, and what those failures tell us about the hope for future prison reforms. Guest: C.J. Ciaramella, Reporter, Reason Resource: Read the Article Here:https://reason.com/2026/09/08/the-american-prison-experiment/ Find More of C.J. here:https://reason.com/people/cj-ciaramella/ https://bsky.app/profile/cjciaramella.bsky.social Read More of Reason Here:https://reason.com/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#519
September 29 · 1 hr 19 min
519 | How the Maryland Defender Union is Organizing for Better Working Conditions, Pay, and Workloads w/Rachel Kiefer, Alexis Rossetti, and Kalia Woods
On this episode, Hunter speaks with three members of the Maryland Defender Union, Rachel Kierfer, Alexis Rossetti, and Kalia Woods. They join to explain the recent victory the union secured to enforce their current contract and how the union is finding its voice to fight for better pay and workloads. Guest: Rachel Kiefer, Assistant Public Defender, Baltimore County, Maryland Alexis Rossetti, Assistant Public Defender, Southern Maryland Kalia Woods, Administrative Aide, Prince George's County, Maryland Resource: Read the Report Here https://dbm.maryland.gov/budget/FY2026Testimony/C80B00.pdf Follow the Union Here https://www.instagram.com/marylanddefendersunion/ \ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#518
September 24 · 1 hr 3 min
518 | Did the Supreme Court Finally Ensure the Fourth Amendment Protects Our Data? Part 2 w/Andrew Ferguson
On this episode, Hunter speaks once again by Professor Andrew Ferguson to discuss the Fourth Amendment and the right to privacy. Previously, Hunter spoke with Jumana Musa of the Fourth Amendment Center to discuss the recent Supreme Court case of Chatrie v United States. Now, Andrew and Hunter theorize how this case might be used to further protect our data in this digital age. Guest: Andrew Ferguson, Professor of Law, GW School of Law Resource: Read Chatrie https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/chatrie-v-united-states/ Read Andrew's Article Here https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=7174398 Read Judge Carlton Reeve's Decision https://www.courtwatch.news/p/judge-rules-tower-dumps-search-inherently-unconstitutional Contact the Fourth Amendment Center https://www.nacdl.org/Landing/FourthAmendmentCenter Contact Andrew https://www.law.gwu.edu/andrew-guthrie-ferguson Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
September 22 · 1 hr 2 min
517 | Did the Supreme Court Finally Ensure the Fourth Amendment Protects Our Data? Part 1 w/Jumana Musa
On this episode, Hunter speaks once again Jumana Musa, Director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer's Fourth Amendment Center. Hunter and Jumana discuss the recent landmark case of Chatrie vs United States. In that case, the Supreme Court took a major step towards ensuring our data is protected by the Fourth Amendment. Guest: Jumana Musa, Director, Fourth Amendment Center, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Resource: Read Chatrie https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/chatrie-v-united-states/ Read Judge Carlton Reeve's Decision https://www.courtwatch.news/p/judge-rules-tower-dumps-search-inherently-unconstitutional Contact the Fourth Amendment Center https://www.nacdl.org/Landing/FourthAmendmentCenter Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.
#516
September 17 · 47 min
516 | Will a New Commission Finally Get California to Fund Public Defense? w/Chesa Boudin
On this episode, Hunter speaks once again with Chesa Boudin. This time, the two discussed a new commission in California tasked with studying the best path forward for a state wide solution for Public Defense. Guest: Chesa Boudin, Executive Director, UC Berkeley Law's Criminal Law and Justice Center Resource: Learn More About the Commission Here Follow Chesa's Work https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/criminal-law-and-justice-center/ Public Defenseless Links and Contact Get each new episode a day early on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Search past episode transcripts: https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Follow and support the show, plus all our links: https://linktr.ee/pdefenselesspodcast Website: https://www.publicdefenseless.com Contact the show: publicdefenseless@gmail.com DISCLAIMER: Hunter Parnell hosts Public Defenseless in his personal capacity. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the Aurora Municipal Public Defender or any guest's employer. Nothing on this show is legal advice, and listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing criminal charges, talk to a lawyer.

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