How Public Defenders Are Key to Fixing America's Criminal Justice System

How Public Defenders Are Key to Fixing America's Criminal Justice System

In 1963, the US Supreme Court ruled that all criminal defendants were guaranteed a right to counsel under the 6th and 14th Amendments. Jonathan Rapping, a former public defender and professor at John Marshall Law School, co-founded Gideon’s Promise to address the inadequacies of our public defender system by empowering motivated, passionate public defenders to work across the United States and bridge the gap between the ideal of the 6th Amendment’s right to counsel and the inadequacies of our criminal defense system. Prof. Rapping explains why a quality public defender system is so important for marginalized communities and our country as a whole, what it takes to be a great public defender, and how public defenders are addressing changes in our legal landscape.

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (00:51) - Introducing Prof. Jonathan Rapping
  • (03:19) - What it takes to be a public defender
  • (04:29) - How law students can maintain their empathy and humanity
  • (06:43) - Prof. Rapping’s personal journey
  • (08:25) - The conflict of training lawyers in public defender offices
  • (10:16) - The mission of Gideon’s Promise
  • (12:19) - How Gideon’s Promise trains public defenders and why it matters
  • (13:47) - The real challenges public defenders face
  • (17:27) - YSL, OJ Simpson, and the public perception of criminal defense lawyers
  • (22:42) - Why underfunding public defense fails the American ideal
  • (24:37) - How public defenders are facing legal and social changes
  • (28:55) - Host takeaways and discussion

Click here to view the episode transcript.

Episoder(126)

The Real Law School Experience with Sarah Atkinson

The Real Law School Experience with Sarah Atkinson

Law school is tough, but you’re not alone! DeMario Thornton welcomes fellow law student Sarah Atkinson to talk through the highs and lows of law school. They share their struggles and discuss the ways...

13 Mar 202333min

A Conversation With Professor Deleso A. Alford

A Conversation With Professor Deleso A. Alford

DeMario Thornton welcomes Professor Deleso A. Alford to discuss her work at the intersection of legal and medical education, where her scholarship helps students gain a broader understanding of how ra...

13 Feb 202330min

The Legal Accountability Project – Combatting Inequities and Abuse in Judicial Clerkships

The Legal Accountability Project – Combatting Inequities and Abuse in Judicial Clerkships

In the midst of a nightmarish judicial clerkship, Aliza Shatzman found that there was almost no protection for her, a lowly clerk, suffering harassment at the hands of a seemingly all-powerful judge. ...

9 Jan 202332min

Unpacking Law360’s 2022 Summer Associates Survey

Unpacking Law360’s 2022 Summer Associates Survey

What can you expect when trying for a spot at one of the much coveted summer associateships? DeMario Thornton talks with Craig Savitzky of Law360 about the insights gleaned from the 2022 Summer Associ...

12 Des 202244min

I Wish I’d Known - Michael Nava’s Perspectives on Minority Lawyer Challenges

I Wish I’d Known - Michael Nava’s Perspectives on Minority Lawyer Challenges

Minority lawyers operating in white-dominated spaces face unique challenges as they navigate careers in the legal profession. As negative stereotypes assault them from without, self-doubt and imposter...

14 Nov 202225min

Omarosa, Part II: The Historically Black College and University Experience

Omarosa, Part II: The Historically Black College and University Experience

Returning guest Omarosa Newman joins Demario Thornton to go into deeper detail about her educational journey through multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities and why she chose to attend S...

10 Okt 202218min

Omarosa: Fame, Politics, & The Perks of Being a Non-Traditional Law Student

Omarosa: Fame, Politics, & The Perks of Being a Non-Traditional Law Student

You know her from “The Apprentice,” “Big Brother,” Trump’s White House, and more; and now she’s in the middle of law school just like you! Brand-new Law Student Podcast host DeMario Thornton chats wit...

12 Sep 202226min

The Ultimate Discussion of IP Law with Howard Leib

The Ultimate Discussion of IP Law with Howard Leib

Intellectual property law touches so many corners of law in general, and those interested in pursuing it may take any number of paths in legal practice. To explore the vast world of IP law, Meg Steenb...

29 Aug 202249min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

stopp-verden
dine-penger-pengeradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
e24-podden
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
pengepodden-2
finansredaksjonen
utbytte
rss-politisk-preik
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
pengesnakk
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
stormkast-med-valebrokk-stordalen
lederpodden
rss-sunn-okonomi
okonomiamatorene
rss-markedspuls-2
lederskap-nhhs-podkast-om-ledelse