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Civil Liberties

rug

(82,333 posts) Thu Jan 24, 2013, 01:52 PM Jan 2013

"Gideon’s Army": Young Public Defenders Brave Staggering Caseloads, Low Pay to Represent the Poor

Thursday, January 24, 2013

The new documentary "Gideon’s Army" follows a group of young public defenders in the Deep South who contend with low pay, long hours and staggering caseloads to represent the poor. The film’s title comes from the landmark 1963 Supreme Court ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright that established the right to counsel to defendants in criminal cases who are unable to afford their own attorneys. We’re joined by "Gideon’s Army" director and producer Dawn Porter, and Travis Williams, a Georgia public defender who is featured in the film. (Transcript to come. Check back soon.)

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/1/24/gideons_army_young_public_defenders_brave

49:58 video at link. Well worth it. As is dusting this off and reading it from time to time.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0372_0335_ZS.html

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

"Gideon’s Army": Young Public Defenders Brave Staggering Caseloads, Low Pay to Represent the Poor (Original Post) rug Jan 2013 OP

I have a young cousin who is a public defender. He's also gay. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #1

Good for him. I hope he keeps at it. rug Jan 2013 #2

my son's graduating from law school in May. barbtries Jan 2013 #3

Good luck to him. rug Jan 2013 #4

Public Defender resources and effectiveness has always been weak in my experience ProgressiveProfessor Jan 2013 #5

The clip talks about the pressure to plead guilty. rug Jan 2013 #6

A worthy cause. nick of time Jan 2013 #7

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)

1. I have a young cousin who is a public defender. He's also gay.

Reply to rug (Original post)

Thu Jan 24, 2013, 02:31 PM

Jan 2013

He's doing God's work. I hope he finds it rewarding enough to keep doing it for a long, long time.

rug

(82,333 posts)

2. Good for him. I hope he keeps at it.

Reply to kestrel91316 (Reply #1)

Thu Jan 24, 2013, 02:43 PM

Jan 2013

I worked for Legal Aid in NYC for ten years. Staying mad helped a lot. Then I got fed up with the traffic and moved to Pennsylvania. I still do conflict counsel work with the local PD but that office is lethargic in comparison.

barbtries

(30,666 posts)

3. my son's graduating from law school in May.

Reply to rug (Original post)

Thu Jan 24, 2013, 09:17 PM

Jan 2013

he wants to be a defense attorney. i think we need to watch this film.

rug

(82,333 posts)

4. Good luck to him.

Reply to barbtries (Reply #3)

Thu Jan 24, 2013, 09:49 PM

Jan 2013

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)

5. Public Defender resources and effectiveness has always been weak in my experience

Reply to rug (Original post)

Thu Jan 24, 2013, 11:10 PM

Jan 2013

There have been times I have helped with private lawyer bills when the case was egregious and the Public Defender was not up to the task. Too many times I have seen the innocent plead out since they knew they were not going to get an effective defense.

rug

(82,333 posts)

6. The clip talks about the pressure to plead guilty.

Reply to ProgressiveProfessor (Reply #5)

Fri Jan 25, 2013, 06:39 AM

Jan 2013

Mainly because of the possible sentences which are often magnified by being overcharged. The pressure is worse when you can't make bail.

nick of time

(651 posts)

7. A worthy cause.

Reply to rug (Original post)

Fri Jan 25, 2013, 12:28 PM

Jan 2013

Most people just can't afford the fees of a good defense attorney.
I applaud the efforts of these fine attorneys to help the poor get quality representation.

Reply to this discussion