Public Defenseless Podcast

Welcome to the Public Defenseless Podcast w/Hunter Parnell. Join me each week as we speak with Public Defenders and criminal justice reformers to uncover how our legal system works, where it is failing, and how together we can fix it!

New case for Defenders on Brady Violations: The Fourth Circuit held in Moore v. Maryland, that the State violated Brady v. Maryland by disclosing material impeachment evidence too late for the defense to use it effectively. 🧵

When Nadia Reed refused to work while incarcerated in Colorado, she was put in solitary, not allowed to talk to her family, handcuffed, shackled, & moved to a more punitive section where she was sexually assaulted. A judge has now ordered changes. boltsmag.org/colorado-rulin…

Here’s an amazingly awesome example of why more public defenders need to be involved in legislative advocacy: - This was Ashley Shapiro’s idea. - Ashley is a Deputy Public Defender in Richmond who was totally fed up with her “progressive” prosecutor and local police department’s total indifference to the rights of her clients to be free from unlawful searches & seizures. - 2 1/2 years ago, at @JusticeFwdVa’s annual legislative priorities meeting, Ashley said we needed to add a ban on 4A plea waivers to our list. - We did, and @rpogge drafted the bill - We tried in two previous sessions to no avail. - Sen. @salimforva stepped up, became as outraged as we were, and rode damn hard for this important legislation. - Add to it that Dems now control both chambers, and this year the bill enjoyed tons of support, and is now headed to the Governor for her signature. Please note the lack of public policy degrees, professional lobbyists, or insider knowledge in the foregoing narrative. Rather, a group of public defenders convened, said “WTF” about a policy they hated, found an excellent bill patron, and voila—thousands of vulnerable people’s rights will be vindicated. Democracy may be on the ropes elsewhere, but it’s alive and well in Virginia.

Saw a LIVE segment on KPTV announcing Marion County Public Defender has prevailed in it's lawsuit against the Oregon Public Defense Commission!! Congrats to MCPD exec director Shannon Wilson & SOPD exec director Stacey Lowe! #orleg #orpol Will add link when its available!

ICE SHOOTING OF U.S. CITIZEN COVERED UP FOR A YEAR "Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot by an @ICEgov Homeland Security Investigations (#HSI) officer in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025, after what ICE described as a failure to follow law enforcement instructions during a traffic incident" "While Martinez’s death was reported in local media at the time, the reports did not identify HSI involvement or disclose that a federal agent fired the shots through the driver-side window." newsweek.com/ice-agent-fata…

Trial starts this morning in Clackamas County. Marion County Public Defender & Southwest Oregon Public Defender v. Oregon Public Defense Commission(OPDC). #orleg confirmed OPDC director Ken Sanchagrin 28-2 on Tuesday 2/17/26 #orpol kgw.com/article/news/l…

Today, I spoke w Stacey Lowe, Exec Dir of the Southwest Oregon Public Defender Services. We discussed why she felt she had no choice but to join the lawsuit against the Oregon Public Defense Commission.

Today, I was joined by Shannon Wilson and Stephen Hanlon to try and answer one question: Why did an Oregon Public Defender sue the Oregon Public Defense Commission?

New episode of @PDefenselessPod out today with Shannon Wilson, executive director of Public Defender of Marion suing the Oregon state agency for public defense (OPDC) over attempts to force illegally high caseloads on public defenders. Trial starts Thursday Feb 19th #orleg #orpol

aaaaaaahhhhhhhh pub day is upon us!!!!!!! It's 6:30 in the morning here I'm just running around with no idea what to do with myself

Going on @PDefenselessPod always results in a great conversation. So thrilled they covered The Price of Mercy today!

Just watched an arraignment for a misdemeanor in JC4 in Multnomah County and the court is refusing to ask in custody people if they want an attorney, instead asking them to come back & fill out paperwork requesting an attorney in an attempt to not start the timeline for dismissal

The right to counsel means little if it comes too late. On 2/19, Prof. Eve Primus presents research on systemic delays in appointing lawyers & how courts are responding. Register>> bit.ly/4bGEjAF

Today, I spoke w @BrendonWoodsPD, Chief Public Defender of @ACDefenders. We discussed how is office is handling rising caseloads due to Prop 36 and how they are dealing with ICE enforcement around the Alameda County Courthouse

OREGON SUPREME COURT: Oregon Constitution, as applied to public defense crisis, entitles defendants to dismissals without prejudice if, after arraignment, state fails to appoint counsel for >60 consecutive days (misdemeanors) or >90 consecutive days (felonies).

Our bill to #endmandatoryminimums has been continued to 2027 by voice vote in Va’s House Crts of Justice Crim Sub. We’ll discuss the result formally in the coming weeks. Don’t let it stop you from tuning into this episode for convo around a number of other policies still in play.

Today, I was joined by @rpogge and @kennedybtd of @JusticeFwdVa. Today, we discussed the slate of criminal justice reform policies hope finally pass with the state under Democrat control. open.spotify.com/episode/3jUUx1…

Oregon’s highest court ruled that dismissals are required if the state has failed to provide counsel within 60 days after arraignment for a misdemeanor & 90 days for a felony. State data showed that as of this week, more than 1,400 active cases qualify: theguardian.com/us-news/2026/f…

Big opinion from the Oregon Supreme Court today in State v Roberts - The Court held that criminal cases without appointed counsel for an eligible defendant must be dismissed after 60 days for misdemeanors, 90 days for felonies. Today there are 4,344 unrepresented cases. #orpol

Today, I spoke w/Samantha Pourciau of @JusticesPromise about the lawsuit they've brought against the state of Louisiana for its continued use of slave labor at Angola State prison. open.spotify.com/episode/4T1dWq…