BROADCASTS.com

In a country that lacks legal representation for all, some people are fighting for change.\xa0

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James McDermott, Chief Public Defender of Far West Texas, and Scott Ehlers, Director of Public Defense Improvement at the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, are two of those people.

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In this group interview, James and Scott discuss the Texas Indigent Defense System and how they make a positive impact in their respective areas.\xa0

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We uncover the barriers stopping people from receiving fair legal representation and even hear some heartwarming stories about clients that James and Scott represent.\xa0

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If you want to dive deep into the complexities of the Texas Indigent Defense System and learn how you can help, this is the episode for you.

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Key Topics and Takeaways\xa0

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• What James and Scott do, and the role their offices play.
• Community outreach and support services within the Texas Indigent Defense System.
• Why the willingness for judges to work with public defenders is so important.
• The barriers stopping Texas from providing fair legal representation.
• The real price of public defense and why Texas has not allowed more state funding.
• Who the average client of a public defense office is.
• The importance of client-centered and holistic defense models.

Guests:

James McDermott, Chief Public Defender Far West Texas

Far West Texas Regional Public Defender

Scott Ehlers, Director of Public Defense Improvement, Texas Indigent Defense Commission

Texas Indigent Defense Commission\xa0

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References

County Sixth Amendment Center

Texas Fair Defense Project\xa0

Texas Inmate Families Association\xa0