

Public Defenseless
Hunter Parnell
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 6min
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

Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 7min
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. https://x.com/rachelbusygrl/status/1681469783194357762 - has opinion in Tara's case that she won against OPDS https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2023/07/ousted-oregon-public-defense-leader-to-get-380000-to-settle-whisteblower-claims.html?utm_campaign=theoregonian_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter https://www.opb.org/article/2023/07/18/former-head-oregon-public-defense-singer-settles-with-state-for-380000k/ https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/02/report-shows-some-female-public-defenders-in-oregon-earned-less-than-male-counterparts-with-lots-of-caveats.html https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2024/08/15/report-finds-top-lawyer-at-state-public-defense-agency-retaliated-against-two-female-attorneys/#:~:text=The%20report%20was%20commissioned%20by,represent%20every%20indigent%20criminal%20defendant. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2024/02/07/long-awaited-investigation-into-gender-disparities-in-public-defender-pay-finds-considerable-inconsistency/ https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2024/09/no-discipline-for-oregon-public-defense-agency-leader-accused-of-retaliating-against-women-lawyers.html Rachel's letter to the editor in 2023: https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2023/05/readers-respond-public-defense-system-needs-accountability.html https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/10/20/aclu-demands-firing-of-state-public-defense-agencys-top-lawyer/ https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2024/10/aclu-demands-dismissal-of-top-lawyer-at-oregon-public-defense-agency.html?outputType=amp 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

Oct 30, 2024 • 56min
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

Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 9min
292 | How Participatory Defense Gets the Community Involved in the Courtroom w/Raj Jayadev
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 members of their community. Guests: Raj Jayadev, Coordinator of Silicon Valley De-Bug and National Participatory Defense Network Resources: Silicon Valley De-Bug Website https://www.siliconvalleydebug.org/ And Socials https://x.com/svdebug https://www.facebook.com/sv.debug https://www.instagram.com/sv_debug/ Pick up a Copy of Raj's Book https://thenewpress.com/books/protect-your-people https://www.amazon.com/Protect-Your-People-Participatory-Incarceration/dp/1620977001 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

Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 5min
291 | How the Innocence Project of New Orleans is Fighting to Keep the Innocent out of Prison w/Jee Park
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, Executive Director, Innocence Project New Orleans Resources: Learn more about IPNO https://ip-no.org/ https://x.com/_ipno_ https://www.facebook.com/IPNOLA/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCndzvJoSSZSqgT4_0D42zdw/videos https://www.instagram.com/_ipno_/ 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

Oct 23, 2024 • 1h 1min
290 | How Louisiana's Governor is Reviving the "Super Predator" Myth to Police, Prosecute and Jail Young People w/Hannah Van De Car
Today, Hunter is joined by Hannah Van De Car to discuss the recent "tough on crime" policies that Louisiana Jeff Landry is pursuing in the Youth Justice space. From a repeal of raise the age to increased future punishment for children in possession of firearms, Governor Landry is taking an already punitive state and making it into one of the most pro carceral places on Earth. Guests: Hannah Van De Car, Deputy Legal Director, Louisiana Center for Children's Rights Resources: Contact Hannah https://lakidsrights.org/about-us/staff/hannah-van-de-car/ Check out the work of LCCR https://lakidsrights.org/ https://www.facebook.com/lakidsrights https://x.com/LAKidsRights https://lakidsrights.org/we-advocate/youth-in-the-adult-system/ https://lakidsrights.org/we-advocate/youth-in-the-juvenile-system/ Reading about the Raise the Age Change https://www.propublica.org/article/louisiana-teens-prosecution-reverse-raise-the-age 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

Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 11min
289 | The Horrible Direction Louisiana Public Defense is Headed Under its New Leadership w/Derwyn Bunton
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Derwyn Bunton. The last time Derwyn was on the show, he was the chief Public Defender in the Orleans Parish of Louisiana, but he is now the Chief Legal Officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Today, Derwyn joined the show to discuss what has been happening with Louisiana's Public Defender system. Specifically, Derwyn is here to discuss the consolidation of power into the hands of Remy Starns and the policies Remy is pursuing with his new found power. Guests: Derwyn Bunton, Chief Legal Officer, Southern Poverty Law Center Resources: Contact the Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.instagram.com/splcenter/ https://www.facebook.com/SPLCenter https://x.com/splcenter https://www.splcenter.org/about/staff/derwyn-bunton Coverage of Louisiana Public Defense https://boltsmag.org/jeff-landry-louisiana-public-defense/ https://lailluminator.com/2024/02/19/proposed-louisiana-public-defender-overhaul-is-a-power-grab-critics-say/ Board votes down Starns' proposal for salary cuts https://lailluminator.com/2024/10/17/louisianas-newly-configured-public-defender-board-rejects-landry-administration-pay-plan/ 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

Oct 17, 2024 • 59min
288 | The Problems and Potential for Utah's Patchwork Youth Defense System w/Pam Vickrey
Today, Hunter is joined by Pam Vickrey, Executive Director of the Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys to discuss a recent report, conducted in partnership with the Gault Center, about the problems and promises of Youth Defense in Utah. Guests: Pam Vickrey, Executive Director, Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys Resources: Read the Report Here https://www.defendyouthrights.org/wp-content/uploads/Utah-Assessment-Report.pdf Check out More of the Gault Center's Work https://www.defendyouthrights.org/ Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys https://ujda.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

Oct 16, 2024 • 58min
287 | How California Law Enforcement Agencies are Keeping Police Misconduct Hidden w/Katey Rusch
Today, Hunter is joined by journalist Katey Rusch to discuss her recent bombshell reporting on California law enforcement agencies use of "clean record" agreements to keep police misconduct from defense lawyers, the public, and even other law enforcement agencies. Guests: Katey Rusch, Reporter, California Resources: Contact Katey https://journalism.berkeley.edu/person/katey-rusch/ katey.rusch@gmail.com https://x.com/KateyRusch https://www.facebook.com/kateyrusch/ Read the Reporting Here: https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2024/police-clean-record-agreements/ https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/clean-record-agreements-investigation-19752768.php https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2024/police-clean-record-agreements-pensions/ 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

Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 2min
286 | The Courts Giving Young People the Specialized Resources they Need to Succeed w/Paul Bowen and Jacqueline van Wormer
Today, Hunter is joined by Paul Bowen and Jacqueline van Wormer Ph.D. to discuss the juvenile treatment courts that they have helped set up around the country. As has been the case on previous episodes about youth defense, today we discuss both the politics and science behind ensuring that courts are considering the unique needs of the youth being processed through them. Guests: Paul Bowen, Project Director, Treatment Court Institute, All Rise Jacquline van Wormer Ph.D., Director, Center for Advancing Justice, All Rise Resources: All Rise https://allrise.org/news/meet-our-divisions-4/ https://www.instagram.com/allrise_org/ https://www.facebook.com/AllRise.org https://x.com/_allrise_ https://www.youtube.com/@AllRise_org https://www.linkedin.com/company/weallrise Contact Paul https://allrise.org/our-team/paul-bowen/ Contact Jacqueline https://crmj.wsu.edu/chair-faculty-graduate-students-and-staff/faculty/jacqueline-van-wormer/ 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


