The Plight of the Public Defender

Racial injustices in the criminal justice system are front of mind for many people today, but one element of that system is not discussed nearly enough, says author Jonathan Rapping, and that’s public defenders. Jonathan is a criminal defense attorney and author of “Gideon’s Promise: A Public Defender Movement to Transform Criminal Justice,” where he explores this gap in our public discourse and unveils the burden it places on those who are arrested, often disproportionately affecting people of color. In today’s episode, Jonathan explains how public defenders are overburdened and that trickles down into what plays out in court, which he rightfully reframes as a violation of our constitutional right to access legal representation. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy