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
Mar 30, 2026 • 59min
461 | How to Empower Social Workers in Public Defender Offices w/Kay Edwards
Today, Hunter was joined by Kay Edwards from the Far West Texas Regional Public Defender Office. There, Kay is the Mental Health Supervisor and she joins the show to discuss how her office has implemented a new organizational structure and way of thinking that empowers social workers to take more active roles in cases. Guest: Kay Edwards, Mental Health Supervisor, Far West Texas Public Defender Resources: NAPD Social Workers https://publicdefenders.us/audiences/social-worker/ Contact the office or Kay https://www.farwesttxrpd.org/ kay@farwesttxrpd.org 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 7min
460 | How California's Failure to Fund Public Defense is Hurting Everyone w/Tracie Olson
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Tracie Olson the Chief Public Defender of the Yolo County Public Defender Office. Tracie joins to discuss the recent Deason Center report about the dramatic underfunding of Public Defense in California and the impacts of Prop 36 on her community. Guest: Tracie Olson, Chief Public Defender, Yolo County, California Resources: Read the Report Here https://scholar.smu.edu/deasoncenter/19/ Learn More About Yolo County Public Defense https://www.yolocountypublicdefender.com/ 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
Mar 25, 2026 • 1h 5min
459 | What will Happen if Washington State does not Figure Out How to Fund Public Defense at the State Level? w/Matt Sanders
Today, Hunter was joined by Matt Sanders, Director of King County's Department of Public Defense. Matt joins to discuss Washington's millionaire tax and the impact Public Defense will face because of the tax revenue no longer going to fund Public Defense. Guest: Matt Sanders, Director, King County Department of Public Defense, Washington Resources: Learn more about DPD here https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dpd 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
Mar 24, 2026 • 1h 8min
458 | How Public Defense is Sold to the Lowest Bidder in Rural California w/Anat Rubin
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Anat Rubin, an Investigative Journalist with Cal Matters. This time, Anat joins to discuss her reporting about the "Wal-Mart" of Public Defense. Coined decades ago, these private law firms who accept contracts to provide Public Defender services to rural parts of California have long faced scrutiny for their cost cutting practices. Guest: Anat Rubin, Investigative Journalist, Cal Matters Resources: Read Anat's Reporting Here https://calmatters.org/investigation/2025/12/the-walmart-of-public-defense/ 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
Mar 19, 2026 • 1h
457 | How Washington Built One of the Best Family Defense Teams in the Country w/Brett Ballew and Tonia McClanahan
Today, Hunter was joined by two members of Washington's Family Defense Team, Brett Ballew and Tonia McClanahan. As we did on Tuesday, the show explores the ways Public Defense can and should expand to include family defense. This time, Hunter and his guests dive into a state that has been leading the way in this expansion. Guest: Brett Ballew, Supervising Attorney, Public Defense Parent Representation Program, Washington Office of Public Defense Tonia McClanahana, Parent Voice Advocacy Manager, Public Defense Parent Representation Program, Washington Office of Public Defense Resources: Learn More About OPD's Work Here https://opd.wa.gov/parents 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
Mar 17, 2026 • 1h
456 | How Public Defenders can Help Stop Family Separations w/Mary Anne Mendenhall
Today, Hunter was joined by Mary Anne Mendenhall, the Director of Family Defense Initiatives with Partners for Justice. On previous episodes, Hunter has explored the dire need for Public Defense to expand its services to include family defenders. Today, Mary Anne joins to provide a deep dive into the family separation industrial complex and how to better integrate family defenders into Public Defender offices. Guest: Mary Anne Mendenhall, Director, Family Defense Initiatives, Partners for Justice Resources: Find Mary Anne's Work with P4J https://partnersforjustice.org/family-defense 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 *** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER***
Mar 12, 2026 • 59min
455 | What Can be Done to Slow the Spread of Mass Surveillance? w/Jay Stanley
Today, Hunter was joined by Jay Stanley, Senior Policy Analyst with the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. With more than 20 years of experience, Jay brings a comprehensive understanding of why and how mass surveillance technology is spreading across America. Guest: Jay Stanley, Senior Policy Analyst, ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project Resources: Check out Jay's Work and the Free Future Blog https://www.aclu.org/bio/jay-stanley https://www.aclu.org/freefuture Sign up for the ABA Public Defender Summit https://events.americanbar.org/event/12d07164-1011-4723-9352-e8e3168db945/welcome 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
Mar 11, 2026 • 1h 7min
454 | The Public Defender Running to get Ritchie Torres Out of Congress w/Dalourny Nemorin
Today, Hunter was joined by Dalourny Nemorin, a public defender with the Legal Aid Society and candidate for NY's 15th Congressional District. Dalourny joins the show to discuss her candidacy, why she is running, and how her background as a public defender makes her the perfect fit to represent the South Bronx in Congress. Guest: Dalourny Nemorin, Public Defender and Candidate for New York's 15th Congressional District, Legal Aid Society Resources: Check out Dalourny's Campaign Here: https://www.dalourny.nyc/ Sign up for the ABA Public Defender Summit https://events.americanbar.org/event/12d07164-1011-4723-9352-e8e3168db945/welcome 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
Mar 10, 2026 • 1h 3min
453 | How America's Mass Surveillance State is Making it More Likely that Your Data Will be Used Against You w/Andrew Ferguson
Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Andrew Ferguson to discuss his new book, Your Data will be Used Against You. In it, Professor Ferguson discusses how and why mass surveillance is exploding in the United States and the dangers that expansion poses towards all those that value the right to privacy. Guest: Andrew Ferguson, Professor of Law, George Washington University School of Law Resources: Pick up a Copy of the Book Today https://nyupress.org/9781479838295/your-data-will-be-used-against-you/ Sign up for the ABA Public Defender Summit https://events.americanbar.org/event/12d07164-1011-4723-9352-e8e3168db945/welcome 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
Mar 5, 2026 • 1h 8min
452 | With a Budget Shortfall Looming, What Comes Next for Maine Public Defense w/Frayla Tarpinian
Today, Hunter was joined by Maine's Frayla Tarpinian, the new Executive Director of Maine's Commission on Public Defense Services. Guest: Frayla Tarpinian, Executive Director, Maine Commission on Public Defense Resources: Website https://www.maine.gov/pds/ Coverage of the Shortfall https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/02/04/facing-imminent-13m-shortfall-committee-advances-bill-to-shore-up-public-defense-services/ https://www.mainesenate.org/senate-gives-initial-support-to-sen-carney-bill-to-fund-public-defense-services-protect-constitutional-rights/ Sign up for the ABA Public Defender Summit https://events.americanbar.org/event/12d07164-1011-4723-9352-e8e3168db945/welcome 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 **** ALL OPINONS SHARED BY HOST HUNTER PARNELL DO NOT REFLECT THE THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER****
