

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

Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 2min
371 | The Cruelty Kids Face at the Intersection of Criminal and Immigration Law w/Claire Valentin and Hayley Upshaw
Today, Hunter was joined Claire Valentin and Hayley Upshaw to discuss how the intersection of criminal and immigration law impacts kids. So far on the show, Hunter and various guests have explored the "Crimmigration" intersection as it pertains to adults. Now, Hunter, Hayley, and Claire unpack the ways this already cruel system is especially cruel for kid. Guest Hayley Upshaw, Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco Public Defender Officer Claire Valentin, Managing Director of Innovation and Advocacy, Children's Law Center of Massachusetts Resources: US Citizen Picked Up By ICE https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/20/us-citizen-jose-hermosillo-border-patrol https://news.azpm.org/p/azpmnews/2025/4/18/224512-us-citizen-in-arizona-detained-by-immigration-officials-for-10-days/ Contact Claire https://www.clcm.org/staff 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

Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 9min
370 | How Public Defenders Can Make a Difference in Immigration Defense w/Ali Saidi
Today, Hunter was joined by Ali Saidi, Deputy Public Defender in Contra Costa County, California. On this episode, Hunter and Ali discuss how Public Defenders can have a larger impact in immigration defense by bringing the services to the communities who need them the most. Guest Ali Saidi, Deputy Public Defender, Contra Costa County, California Resources: Contra Costa County Public Defender https://www.cocopublicdefenders.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ContraCostaPublicDefender/ https://www.instagram.com/cocopublicdefenders/ https://x.com/cocodefender 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

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 6min
369 | Why California Has and Needs its Immigration Sanctuary Laws w/Angela Chan
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Angla Chan of the San Francisco Public Defender Officer. This time, the two say down to discuss the history of sanctuary laws in California, why they are so important, and reflect on the reasons why people leave their home countries in the first place. Guest Angela Chan, Chief of Confront and Advocate, San Francisco Public Defender's Office Resources: Gov. Newsom's history with ordering juvenile probation in SF to turn youth over to ICE when he was SF Mayor in 2008. His "regret" over his prior actions in 2018 when he was running for governor. stories of Southeast Asian refugees who were incarcerated firefighters who CDCR turned over to ICE. SF Public Defender Office https://sfpublicdefender.org/ https://www.facebook.com/sfpublicdefender https://x.com/sfdefender https://www.instagram.com/sfpublicdefender/ https://bsky.app/profile/sfpublicdefender.sf.gov American Interventionism https://www.amazon.com/Jakarta-Method-Washingtons-Anticommunist-Crusade/dp/1541742400 Guatemala https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/jacobo-arbenz-guzman-deposed/ https://hmh.org/library/research/genocide-in-guatemala-guide/ https://cja.org/what-we-do/litigation/the-guatemala-genocide-case/ Laos https://www.history.com/articles/laos-most-bombed-country-vietnam-war https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/apr/27/i-dont-want-more-children-to-suffer-what-i-did-the-50-year-fight-to-clear-us-bombs-from-laos https://www.mnvietnam.org/story/the-cia-the-hmong-and-the-secret-war/index.html https://winwithoutwar.org/secret-war-forgotten-war-the-u-s-bombing-of-laos/ Cambodia https://www.history.com/articles/nixon-war-powers-act-vietnam-war-cambodia https://macmillan.yale.edu/gsp/us-involvement-cambodian-war-and-genocide-0 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

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h
368 | The Fight to Abolish the Death Penalty in Delaware w/Kevin O'Connell
Today, Hunter was joined once again by the Chief Public Defender of Delaware, Kevin O'Connell. This time, the two focused on the see-saw history of death penalty abolition in the state of Delaware. It may come as a surprise to many, but Delaware has historically been one of the most prolific death penalty states in America, and today, Kevin and Hunter discuss the politics and policies that kept the death penalty alive and thriving in the state. Finally, they discuss what lessons those interested in death penalty abolition can learn from the meandering path that Delaware took to get on the door step of a Constitutional ban on the practice. Guest Kevin O'Connell, Chief Public Defender, Defender Services of Delaware Resources: More on the Death Penalty in Delaware http://deathpenaltyinfo.org/delaware-officially-removes-death-penalty-from-state-statutes-eight-years-after-state-supreme-court-finds-it-unconstitutional https://deathpenalty.org/delaware-officially-repeals-its-death-penalty/ https://www.aclu-de.org/en/death-penalty-repeal 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

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 9min
367 | After a Rocky Start, What Does the Future Hold for Idaho's New State Public Defender System w/Eric Fredericksen
Today, Hunter was by the Public Defender for the state of Idaho, Eric Fredericksen. Over the past two years, Public Defense in Idaho underwent a massive overhaul. For decades, the state has operated a county-based system that functioned with serious justice by geography problems, but with pressure from ACLU lawsuits, the state needed to change. So, they finally made the decision to transition to a state wide, state funded system. The transition, however, has been anything but smooth. Eric and Hunter discuss that transition, and why Eric is optimistic about the future given the strong support from the legislature and Governor in this first budget cycle. Guest Eric Fredericksen, The State Public Defender, Idaho Resources: Idaho Public Defender Reports Idaho Public Defense Workload Study https://www.boisestate.edu/sps-ipi/our-research/idaho-public-defense-workload-study/ News about the Transition https://isb.idaho.gov/blog/the-state-public-defender-act-continuing-the-journey-of-public-defense-in-idaho-by-jordan-s-crane/ https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/10/15/concerns-raised-about-idahos-new-public-defense-system-after-exodus-in-public-defenders/ https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/09/16/public-defense-changeover-raises-concerns-for-some/ https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/eric-fredericksen-to-lead-new-office-of-the-state-public-defender/ https://www.mtexpress.com/news/blaine_county/public-defense-transition-gets-off-to-rocky-start/article_1ac2a83a-8cc2-11ef-9f78-6ffe80dd4216.html https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/10/23/judge-demands-answers-from-idaho-state-public-defender-after-defendants-left-without-counsel/ https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article297887643.html https://dailymontanan.com/2025/01/06/headed-for-a-disaster-aclu-asks-idaho-supreme-court-to-order-public-defense-system-reform/ News About Death Penalty in Idaho https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/idaho-governor-signs-legislation-authorizing-firing-squad-as-states-primary-execution-method https://idahocapitalsun.com/2025/03/17/idaho-house-unanimously-passes-child-sex-abuse-death-penalty-bill/ https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-littles-statement-on-death-penalty-for-pedophiles/ 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

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 2min
366 | How Public Defenders Can Create Equitable Public Safety Policies w/Hans Menos and Rob Kenter
Today, Hunter was joined by Hans Menos and Rob Kenter of the Center for Policing Equity. They sat down to discuss the successes their organization has had in trying create a more equitable legal system and understanding of how we can create safer communities. Guest Hans Menos, VP Public Safety Innovations and Government Affairs, Center for Policing Equity Rob Kenter, Senior Director of Public Safety, Center for Policing Resources: Center for Policing Equity https://policingequity.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10276392455&gbraid=0AAAAACb2uw87ItPJ0G_93Si8AzxlC0WCD&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0qTCBhCmARIsAAj8C4ahIXfE1Rgj97RXl4rAs8f-QmLZ_fXFRtYpQ7oS9UjSONAw-5XNlXYaAoBgEALw_wcB https://www.instagram.com/policingequity/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/centerforpolicingequity/ https://www.facebook.com/CenterForPolicingEquity https://www.tiktok.com/@policingequity https://www.threads.com/@policingequity?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@policingequity 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

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 8min
365 | How San Francisco Public Defenders Used the Racial Justice Act to Combat Implicit Racial Bias in the Legal System w/Sujung Kim and Lilah Wolf
Today, Hunter was joined by two San Francisco Public Defenders, Sujung Kim and Lilah Wolf, to discuss their recent Racial Justice Act Victory. This California law was designed in part to give public defenders the tools to get explicit and implicit racism out of the criminal legal system. Today, we discussed how it came to be, why it needs to be in place, and how public defenders in California and around the country could be using it. Guest Sujung Kim, Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco, California Lilah Wolf, Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco, California Resources: Contact the SF Public Defender ttps://sfpublicdefender.org/ https://www.facebook.com/sfpublicdefender https://x.com/sfdefender https://www.instagram.com/sfpublicdefender/ Exhibits from the Trial https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Qd5HC8wB7HuV_xoh6fHLQwRMmybJWShD?usp=sharing Read More About the Case https://sfpublicdefender.org/news/2025/03/10462/ https://davisvanguard.org/2025/03/san-francisco-public-defenders-win-landmark-racial-justice-act-case/ 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

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 16min
364 | How Cops Mess Up the Investigation Child Sex Assault Cases w/Christina Sally and Chris Bertram
Today, Hunter was joined by two former police officers turned defense witness experts. Christina Sally and Chris Bertram joined the show to discuss their insights into the many ways in which police officers mess up the investigations into claims of child sexual assault cases. Guest Christina Sally PhD, Consultant, Defense Expert Witness, Retired Law Enforcement Officer Chris Bertram, Retired Chief of Police, Associate Professor, Defense Expert Witness Resources: Email Christina christinasallyphd@gmail.com https://www.drchristinasallyphd.com/ Email Chris chris@tbertramgroup.com https://www.tbertramgroup.com/team.php 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

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 3min
363 | Why is the LA County DA Bringing Back Death Penalty Prosecutions? w/Ricardo Garcia
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Los Angeles County Chief Public Defender Ricardo Garcia. This time, they discuss how the new LA County DA is trying to bring back the death penalty and the impact of Prop 36 and the Los Angeles Wildfires on Public Defenders and their clients. Guest Ricardo Garcia, The Public Defender of Los Angeles County, California Resources: Contact the LA County Public Defender https://pubdef.lacounty.gov/ https://www.instagram.com/lapubdef/ https://www.facebook.com/LACOUNTYPD/ https://x.com/lapubdef https://www.linkedin.com/company/lapubdef LA DA Brings Back Death Penalty https://lacounty.gov/2025/03/25/los-angeles-public-defender-denounces-the-district-attorneys-decision-to-revive-the-death-penalty/ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/los-angeles-da-death-penalty Prop 36 https://lao.ca.gov/handouts/crimjust/2025/Fiscal-Impacts-of-Proposition-36-022525.pdf https://www.ppic.org/blog/early-implementation-of-prop-36-varies-widely-across-counties/ 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

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 11min
362 | Is Illinois Taking the First Step to Establish State Wide Public Defense? w/Elisabeth Pollock and Stephanie Kollmann
Today, Hunter was joined once again Elisabeth Pollock and for the first time Stephanie Kollmann. On today's episode, the three discuss the Fair Act in Illinois. This pending piece of legislation is set to be the first step for the state of Illinois to provide statewide support to Public Defense. Will it happen? Why is it necessary? All that and more on today's episode. Guest Elisabeth Pollock, Chief Public Defender, Champagne County, Illinois Stephanie Kollmann, Policy Director, Children Family Justice Center, Northwestern University School of Law Resources: Sixth Amendment Center Illinois https://6ac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6AC_illinois_report_2021.pdf Task Force Report https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/News/1378/Court-shining-light-on-the-need-for-indigent-defense-reform/news-detail/ Fair Act https://fairactil.org/ https://ilpublicdefenderstats.org/fairact/ Contact Stephanie https://www.law.northwestern.edu/legalclinic/cfjc/aboutus/ 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


