Stay ConnectedAnyone 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.
Today, Hunter is joined by civil litigator Park Stinar to discuss his work in suing people and organizations who have sexually violated his clients. Through his career, Parker has pursued justice against Larry Nassar and Michigan State, the Catholic Church, Juvenile Detention Facilities, and the University of Michigan because of their role in the sexual assault of his clients. While not a normal episode for the show, today we ask a vitally important question: If our criminal legal system is operating properly and it is difficult to secure a conviction, what other avenues are available to people to get remedy and redress for the wrongs done to them?
Guests:
Parker Stinar, Managing Partner, Stinar Gould Grieco and Hensley
Resources:
Parker Stinar Contact
https://www.sgghlaw.com/attorneys/parker-stinar/
Catholic Church
https://ballsandstrikes.org/legal-culture/louisiana-supreme-court-church-abuse-case/
Larry Nasser and University of Michigan State
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Leah Nelson, and this time, she is joined by Judge Stepehen Wallace. On today's episode, Leah and Judge Wallace are her to unveil their years long research into the fines and fees that the Jefferson County, Alabama Courts are extracting from criminal defendants. As will surprise no one who listens to the show, the fines and fees program fails the accused, fails victims, fails to fund the legal system, and thus, fails the entire state of Alabama.
Guests:
Leah Nelson, Co-Founder, Jefferson County Equitable Fines and Fees Project, Alabama
Stepehen Wallace, Circuit Judge, Jefferson County, Birmingham, Alabama
Resources:
Coverage of Aug. 2024 Releases
https://aldailynews.com/court-fee-system-inefficient-discriminatory-research-finds/
https://aldailynews.com/column-crime-and-garnishment/
https://aldailynews.com/capitol-journal-september-13-2024/
Oct. 2024 paper with IBM
https://krvarshney.github.io/pubs/LaraYejasJMNSTNBV_aies2024.pdf
Aug. 2024 with MDRC
https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/JeffCoFines%26Fees_Brief_FInal.pdf
Background reading on--
Brookside (the Ferguson of Alabama): https://www.al.com/bankingoncrime/
Alabama tax policy and how the Alabama constitution encourages reliance on fines and fees: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/opinion/alabama-fines-fees.html
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined by two people who's work attempts to bring people together to heal after a wrongful conviction. Jennifer Thompson, Founder of Healing Justice, and Professor Jamie Lau from Duke University join the show to discuss how they help the wrongfully convicted, the victims in a wrongful conviction, the families of both, and the communities they are from come together to talk and hopefully heal from the bomb that is a wrongful conviction
Guests:
Jennifer Thompson, Founder, Healing Justice
Jamie Lau, Clinical Professor of Law, Duke University School of Law
Resources:
Healing Justice Website
https://healingjusticeproject.org/
Contact Jamie
Innocence Network
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined by former Public Defender and current Senior Advisor to District Attorney Larry Krasner, Matthew Stiegler. After Tuesday's episode, we saw the promise and limitations of Public Defenders holding police accountable, and today, we examine those same promises and limitations for criminal legal reforms that progressive prosecution offers.
Guests:
Matthew Stiegler, Senior Advisor to District Attorney Larry Krasner, Philadelphia
Resources:
Follow Matthew on Twitter
https://x.com/matthewstiegler?lang=en
Philly DA
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined by two Philly Public Defenders, Michael Mellon and Paula Sen, to discuss how their work with the Philly Public Defender Police Accountability Unit helped to uncover a systemic pattern and practice of lies and illegal use of surveillance cameras.
Guests:
Paula Sen, Assistant Public Defender, Defender Association of Philadelphia
Michael Mellon, Assistant Public Defender, Defender Association of Philadelphia
Resources:
Reporting on the Illegal use of Surveillance Cameras
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined by Stanislaus County Chief Public Defender, Jennifer Jennison. In the past year, Jennifer has been confronted with the most challenging question a Chief can face: Should I refuse to take on new cases because the current workload that my attorneys have is unethically high? Today's episode attempts to understand that historical and current conditions that lead Jennifer to make this difficult decision.
Guests:
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
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined once again by Jessica Brand and Adrienne Johnson of the Wren Collective. This time, Jessica and Adrienne join to discuss their recent report about the failings of Public Defense in Nueces County, Texas.
Guests:
Jessica Brand, Founder, Wren Collective
Adrienne Johnson, Senior Counsel, Wren Collective
Resources:
Wren Collective Website
https://www.wrencollective.org/
Wren Collective Report
https://www.wrencollective.orgfiles/ugd/8fe8f057ace02e045642318ef78fa366f9c32d.pdf
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined by former whistleblower Brittany Iriart and Civil Rights Attorney Andy McNulty to discuss a scandalous coverup with the Denver Sheriffs Department. When she moved to a civilian oversight position with the Denver Sheriff, Brittany hoped to bring some much needed accountability to a department with a history of burying misconduct. Unfortunately, the incremental changes around the edges did little to reign in a department that viewed itself above the law.
Guests:
Brittany Iriart, Former Whistle Blower, Colorado
Andy McNulty, Civil Rights Attorney, Newman McNulty, Denver, Colorado
Resources:
Coverage of Brittany's Case
https://whistleblowersblog.org/whistleblower-of-the-week/brittany-marie-iriart/
https://kdvr.com/news/problem-solvers/denver-whistleblower-loses-job/
https://kdvr.com/news/problem-solvers/video-shows-denver-deputy-punch-inmate-in-wheelchair/
Contact Andy
https://nmlaw.squarespace.com/whistleblower-wins
Government Accountability Project
Other Issues with Denver Sheriff
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined by Colorado Newsline Journalist Chase Woodruff. Over the past several weeks, Aurora, Colorado has been thrust into the national spotlight thanks to right wing media and politicians. Despite their many sensationalist claims, Aurora and the state at large have not in fact been taken over by Venezuelan gangs. Today's episode is meant to help compile reporting and walk through some of the "evidence" that have been paraded out so that you can have a more informed understanding of how we got here.
Guests:
Chase Woodruff, Journalist, Colorado Newsline
Resources:
Aurora City Council and The Public Defender
https://x.com/maxamillianlevy/status/1778532516099772871
https://x.com/PDefenselessPod/status/1767741717598421010
https://x.com/PDefenselessPod/status/1762647344493809895
https://x.com/PDefenselessPod/status/1715131506861945192
The July 28 Incident
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1036818568011331
https://www.facebook.com/DanielleForAurora/posts/1012880767513650?ref=embed_post
Danelle Jurinsky on Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6361740992112
https://www.foxnews.com/us/suspected-tren-de-aragua-gang-members-aurora-colorado-released-1000-bond
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6361627530112
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6361224247112
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/auroras-violent-gang-problem-didnt-happen-over-night
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6361582011112
Coverage of The Venezuelan Gang
https://x.com/dcwoodruff/status/1831748770197074264
https://denverite.com/2024/09/04/venezuelan-gang-aurora-colorado-factcheck/
OP ED by Sengenberger
Thread with the Letter
https://x.com/PDefenselessPod/status/1832177118240759833
Issues with Gang Databases
https://scholarship.law.stjohns.edu/lawreview/vol94/iss4/11/
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Today, Hunter is joined by Jessica Pishko to discuss her new book The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy. So far on the show, Hunter has spent a lot of time discussing the corruption and abuses of police and prosecutors, but the show has not spent much time discussing the issues of sheriffs. Thanks to years of incredible investigative journalism, Jessica provides an in depth and distributing account for how sheriffs around the country are posing a threat to civil liberties and our systems of checks and balances.
Guests:
Jessica Pishko, Lawyer, Journalist, and Author
Resources:
Pick up a copy of the book here
https://www.amazon.com/Highest-Law-Land-Unchecked-Threatens/dp/0593471318
Check out Jessica's Substack
https://sheriffs.substack.com/
Follow Jessica on Twitter
https://x.com/JessPish?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Mark Lamb Prison Controversy
Joe Arpaio
https://www.npr.org/2021/10/29/1050490391/joe-arpaio-legal-costs-100-million-arizona-sheriff
Contact Hunter Parnell:
Publicdefenseless@gmail.com
@PublicDefenselessPodcast
@PDefenselessPod
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
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
