Libsyn Directory

451 | How the Tough on Crime Lobby Influences Colorado Criminal Justice Policy w/Kyle Giddings and Rebecca Wallace

Release Date: 03/03/2026

462 | How Restorative Justice Could Transform What Public Safety Looks Like w/Amanda Carrasco

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by Amanda Carrasco a restorative justice advocate and author of Becoming the Brave One. Throughout her life, Amanda has dealt with tremendous trauma from surviving multiple sexual assaults and the murder of her close family friends. Despite those experiences, Amanda is a champion for different approaches to the criminal legal system in the form of restorative justice practices. Guest: Amanda Carrasco, Author and Advocate for Restorative Justice Practices Resources: Find Amanda’s work and Book Here Contact Hunter...

461 | How to Empower Social Workers in Public Defender Offices w/Kay Edwards

Public Defenseless

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 Contact the office or Kay Contact Hunter...

460 | How California's Failure to Fund Public Defense is Hurting Everyone w/Tracie Olson

Public Defenseless

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 Learn More About Yolo County Public Defense Contact Hunter...

459 | What will Happen if Washington State does not Figure Out How to Fund Public Defense at the State Level? w/Matt Sanders

Public Defenseless

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 Contact Hunter...

458 | How Public Defense is Sold to the Lowest Bidder in Rural California w/Anat Rubin

Public Defenseless

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 Contact Hunter...

457 | How Washington Built One of the Best Family Defense Teams in the Country w/Brett Ballew and Tonia McClanahan

Public Defenseless

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...

456 | How Public Defenders can Help Stop Family Separations w/Mary Anne Mendenhall

Public Defenseless

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 Contact Hunter...

455 | What Can be Done to Slow the Spread of Mass Surveillance? w/Jay Stanley

Public Defenseless

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 Sign up for the ABA Public Defender Summit Contact Hunter...

454 | The Public Defender Running to get Ritchie Torres Out of Congress w/Dalourny Nemorin

Public Defenseless

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: Sign up for the ABA Public Defender Summit ...

453 | How America's Mass Surveillance State is Making it More Likely that Your Data Will be Used Against You w/Andrew Ferguson

Public Defenseless

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 Sign up for the ABA Public Defender Summit Contact Hunter...

More Episodes

Today, Hunter was joined by Kyle Giddings and Rebecca Wallace to discuss how tough on crime types shape Colorado criminal justice policy. From the outside looking in, one could be forgiven for thinking that Colorado is one of the most progressive states in the country. After all, it was one of the few places in America that broke towards the left in the 2024 election. Despite the complete control of the government by the Democratic party, Colorado still pursues tough on crime policies. Today, Hunter and guests try and explain how that happens.

Guest:

Kyle Giddings, Deputy Director, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition

Rebecca Wallace, Policy Director, Colorado Freedom Fund

Resources:

CFF Website and Policy Pages

https://www.coloradofreedomfund.org/denver-muni-reform-toolkit

https://www.coloradofreedomfund.org/2026-legislation

CCJRC Website

https://www.ccjrc.org/

** Correction. During the episode, Hunter stated that the report by Dustin Zvonek was shared in the Denver Post. It was actually shared via Denver 7 ABC. The article is linked below**

ABC 7 Reporting on Housing First

https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/colorado-ranks-among-top-10-states-for-homelessness-driven-by-drugs-not-housing-costs

https://events.americanbar.org/event/12d07164-1011-4723-9352-e8e3168db945/welcome

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