Without exception, every single state Public Defender system is facing a shortage of Public Defenders. In many of our episodes, we've discussed innovative ways to try and bolster the number of people in law school interested in pursuing a career in Public Defense. Unfortunately as today's guest reveals, there is simply no way for law schools to solve the shortage of people. John Gross has spent the better part of the last two decades trying to come up with ways to solve the crisis in Public Defense. Without drastic systemic changes, and perhaps a string of case refusals, he is certain that we cannot simply recruit our way out of the shortage of Public Defenders.

Guests:

Professor John Gross, Director of the Public Defender Project, University of Wisconsin School of Law

Resources:

John's Faculty Page

https://law.wisc.edu/profiles/jpgross3@wisc.edu

John's previous writings on Public Defense

https://www.publicdefenders.us/blog_home.asp?display=1062

https://www.publicdefenders.us/blog_home.asp?display=35

https://harvardlawreview.org/blog/2023/03/reframing-the-indigent-defense-crisis/

https://www.nacdl.org/Document/GideonI-RationingJusticeUnderfundedAssignedCounsel

Contact Hunter Parnell:

Publicdefenseless@gmail.com

188: If Law School Can't Solve the Shortage of Public Defenders, What Can? w/John Gross