100% Defense work has changed. We need experts on mental health on staff as well as time for more in-depth client interviews, records review, making program referrals, following up with referrals, etc… and did I mention we often supply clothes, food and rides to clients? 1/2
Relatedly, there’s no way for decarceral alternatives to succeed if state & local governments simply expect public defenders to take on the extra burden of facilitating them, without providing us the resources with which to do so.
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