Eve Brensike Primus

Check out this incredible new MDefenders resource designed to help public defenders bring social science into criminal courtrooms. Data for Defenders collects cutting-edge social science research and helps defenders incorporate it into their advocacy: datafordefenders.org

It’s a huge problem when states rely too much on assigned counsel to handle indigent defense. States don’t pay enough, causing a shortage of willing lawyers & unconstitutional delays in appointment. For more on the problem & solutions, check out: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…

@lsolum Thanks for sharing this @lsolum!

Primus on Delays in the Appointment of Defense Counsel, legaltheoryblog.com/2026/03/13/pri… - Eve Brensike Primus (University of Michigan Law School) has posted Waiting for Justice: Unconstitutional Delays in the Appointment of Criminal Defense Counsel (forthcoming in Volume 125 of the Michigan Law Review) on SSRN.

Happy Gideon Day! Thank you to all of the public defenders in the trenches who fight every day to bend the arc of the law a little more toward justice.

Many thanks to @NeelSukhatme and @UMich for the honor of representing @UMichLaw at the President’s symposium to showcase the important work that MDefenders does to create and support public defenders nationwide.

Attn defenders: New traffic stop case involving cell phones. In State v. Stone, the Supreme Ct of Maryland held that officers lack reasonable suspicion to stop a vehicle based solely on observing a driver “manipulating, ” “touching, ” or “pressing” a cell phone while driving. /1

Such an amazing and thoughtful group of defenders. I feel privileged to have been able to engage with them. Thanks to MSPD for inviting me!

This talk is based on an article I wrote explaining that, contrary to popular opinion, Strickland is not the only game in town when it comes to ineffectiveness claims and Strickland (when it applies) is not as restrictive as people think. Article below: review.law.stanford.edu/wp-content/upl…

I am excited to be in St. Louis for the Missouri State Public Defender Spring Training where I will do a talk on how to disaggregate ineffective assistance of counsel doctrine and breathe life into Strickland and Cronic claims. I hope to see many Missouri defenders there!

I hope they'll provide help/support to defenders who are keeping cases rather than take a "use us or lose us" attitude. There are many things to work out & the devil is in the details. But I applaud the desire to ensure quality defense representation. It's important. /end

I also want to see how this office interprets its mandate. Are they there to represent defendants' interests more generally or to represent the individual defendant's interests in the case at hand. Again, those could be different. /2

This could be good or could be bad depending on how the office develops. I don't know Ashley Robertson (she may be an excellent attorney), but it would've been nice if the director were someone w/more of a defender background. Prosecutors & defenders see things differently. /1

On International Women's Day we want to celebrate women who are leaders of public defender agencies around the country fighting every day to make the criminal legal system a little more fair and just. 🧵

Attn Public Defenders: Social science says distance from the jury contributes to bias against your client. Check out @UMichLaw's #DataforDefenders database for a sample motion to help you move your client closer to the jury. #PublicDefenderTwitter #D4D datafordefenders.org

This is going to be a great panel.

Public defense is a calling—and a craft. Michigan Law’s MDefenders program trains student defenders to be client-centered, zealous advocates who can raise the level of representation wherever they go. michigan.law.umich.edu/mdefenders #PublicDefense #MichiganLaw

Drug and alcohol testing is almost always a condition of probation. For most, this doesn't aid rehabilitation - it can be detrimental to it. Use this brief to urge the court to take a more individualized approach to your client's supervision! datafordefenders.org/wp-content/upl…

The defense never rests but it does retreat. The aspiring public defender community @UmichLaw had a wonderful winter retreat filled with fun games, good food, and great friends. #MDefenders #PublicDefenderTwitter

No QI at the dismissal stage for officer who made warrantless inspection of a bar, allegedly for pretextual reason of investigating employee's DUI. There's a clearly established right to be free of pretextual admin inspections. (CA6, 2-1, unpublished) opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/2… #N

No QI for officers who allegedly released dog to subdue fleeing suspect without first giving suspect a warning they would do so and an opportunity to surrender, CA8 rules. ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/26/02/2… #N