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West Virginia Public Defense with Dana Eddy & Stacey Fragile

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When it comes to the public defense system, simple human connection is more important than you might think.\\xa0

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Dana Eddy, Executive Director of West Virginia Public Defender Services, and Stacey Fragile, Chief Public Defender of the 10th Judicial Circuit, are here to prove just that.\\xa0

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In this week\\u2019s episode, Dana and Stacey speak about their community outreach efforts in the state and how they are making a difference at a local level.\\xa0

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They share their arguments for a holistic defense model and lessening the time people spend in the criminal justice system.\\xa0

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You\\u2019ll learn that by connecting with people individually and focusing on the root of the problems, the entire public defense system could be changed for good.\\xa0

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Key Topics and Takeaways:

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• The structure of public defense in West Virginia and Dana\\u2019s role in it. [8:08]
• Stacey\\u2019s role in West Virginia Public Defense. [12:34]
• Community outreach programs in West Virginia. [18:57]
• Drug decriminalization in the state. [28:25]
• Public defense staffing issues in West Virginia. [49:56]
• Stacey & Dana\\u2019s biggest goals for public defense in the state. [54:44]

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Guests:

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Dana Eddy, Executive Director of West Virginia Public Defender Services

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Stacey Fragile, Chief Public Defender of the 10th Judicial Circuit

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Resources:

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West Virginia Public Defender Services

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Spangenberg Report West Virginia

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West Virginia Annual Reports:\\xa0

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https://pds.wv.gov/Documents/FY18%20-%20Annual%20Report.pdf\\xa0

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https://pds.wv.gov/Documents/FY17%20-%20Annual%20Report.pdf\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0

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https://pds.wv.gov/Documents/FY16%20-%20Annual%20Report.pdf\\xa0\\xa0

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Memorable Quotes:

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\\u201cIt\\u2019s hard to say in the state of West Virginia that we need more money. I do think we need to spend it more intelligently.\\u201d (14:17, Dana)

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\\u201cIt\\u2019s always going to be a challenge to get the community to accept individuals who have been convicted of criminal charges that carry with them the stigma of either a sex offense or violent offense.\\u201d (26:31, Dana)

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\\u201cThe stigma is still there locally with the citizens in terms of all drugs are bad drugs, and until that changes, I don\\u2019t see us legalizing.\\u201d (32:45, Stacey)

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\\u201cIf I have one thing on my Christmas wishlist for this season, it would be that we look at a different mechanism for appointing counsel to these cases, but it\'s going to be hard to convince local judges that they need to give up out of authority, that control, over their courtroom.\\u201d (47:52, Dana)

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\\u201cWhat I would say is there\\u2019s a lack of people who are really dedicated to public service and the public mission.\\u201d (52:15, Dana)

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\\u201cWe have to remove the stigma regarding mental health or we\\u2019re never going to make progress as a society.\\u201d (1:09:14, Stacey)

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Contact Hunter Parnell

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hwparnell@publicdefenseless.com

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www.publicdefenseless.com