06: How the Louisiana Public Defenders are Paid to Lose w/Derwyn Bunton & Trisha Ward
Louisiana holds one of the highest incarceration rates in the world.
And with a lack of funding, public defenders can only handle 21% of open cases at a time.
In today's episode, I speak to two impressive guests: Derwyn Bunton, Chief Public Defender of Orleans Public Defenders, and Trisha Ward, Chief Public Defender of Evangeline Parish.
Together, Derwyn and Trisha walk us through the complexities of the Louisiana indigent defense system and how its fee-based model leads to problems.
Derwyn and Trisha are truly beacons of strength in an overwhelming system.
Key Topics and Takeaways:
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The skinny
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