b'
The Oregon Public Defender System is broken. Due to a shortage of attorneys willing to take on the cases, hundreds of people wait for months without ever having an attorney appointed to their case. During this wait, they are often required to return to court to mandate another hearing because attorneys are not available to take the case. With each passing day, evidence grows harder to find, the memories of potential witnesses fade away, and whatever trust the accused had in the legal system withers and dies.
\\xa0
\\xa0
To help Hunter understand how this crisis consumed Oregon Public Defense, he spoke with Chris O\\u2019Connor, a Public Defender at the Metropolitan Public Defender in Multnomah County Oregon. After 20 years as a Public Defender, Chris is the perfect guest to help understand the history and decisions leading up to the crisis.
\\xa0
\\xa0
As he reveals, report after report over the years have continuously showcased the many failings of the overly complex, contract based public defender system. Yet despite the issues being obvious, the legislature and the judiciary continued to allow the issue to fester. This episode is a must listen if you want to best understand the uphill battle the Public Defenders in Oregon are facing!
\\xa0
Guests:
\\xa0
Chris O\\u2019Connor, Public Defender, Metropolitan Public Defender Office, Multnomah County Oregon
\\xa0
Key Topics and Takeaways:
\\xa0
\\xa0How did Chris start off as a PD [8:11]
\\xa0
Structure and History of Oregon Public Defense [10:21]
\\xa0
Findings and Impacts of the Sixth Amendment Center [14:30]
\\xa0
Why does the contract model still persist in Oregon? [20:48]
\\xa0
Can this system work? [25:15]
\\xa0
Impacts of Drug Decriminalization [28:45]
\\xa0
How this crisis has been framed by the media and the lack of accountability by the judiciary and the legislature [31:44]
\\xa0
Why do people have to come to court 12 times just to have a case dismissed [38:55]
\\xa0
The judicial cowardice problem [40:00]
\\xa0
The impacts of the attorney shortage [42:00]
\\xa0
The judicial coup that hit the PDSC [53:00]
\\xa0
What can be done [1:02:00]
\\xa0
\\xa0
Resources:
\\xa0
Multnomah County Public Defender
\\xa0
\\xa0
\\xa0
Vice Investigative Reporting on Public Defender Crisis
\\xa0
\\u2018No sense of justice\\u2019: Hundreds cycling through Oregon courts without public defenders
\\xa0
\\xa0
Oregon Public Defense Law Suit
\\xa0
\\xa0
ABA Report on Oregon Public Defense
\\xa0
\\xa0
Contact Hunter Parnell:
\\xa0
hwparnell@publicdefenseless.com
\\xa0
\\xa0
\\xa0
\\xa0
\\xa0
\\xa0
\\xa0
\\xa0
'