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Today, Hunter spoke with Iowa Public Defender, Darren Page, to peel back the layers of Public Defense in Iowa to try and understand why the Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court said the system was in a state of crisis. On many episodes, Hunter likes to explore how states determine if someone should get a Public Defender and if states make those who get a Public Defender reimburse the state for the costs. In Iowa, the state has decided to narrowly define who is too poor to qualify for a Public Defender while also mandating that people reimburse the state for costs. While this is not what’s causing the crisis, it is a signal of a system desperate for reforms.

Guests:

Darren Page, Assistant Public Defender, Des Moines, Iowa

Resources:

Iowa Public Defender in a state of Crisis

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2023/01/11/iowa-indigent-defense-attorneys-crisis-supreme-court-chief-justice/69792316007/

Iowa State Public defender

https://spd.iowa.gov/

Iowa Public Defender Strategic Plan 2019-2023

https://spd.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/SPD%20Strategic%20Plan%20-%202019-2023.pdf

Iowa Annual Public Defender Reports

https://spd.iowa.gov/about-us/spd-reports

Iowa Living Wage

https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/19

National Poverty Guidelines

https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/federal-poverty-level-FPL/

United Way Iowa

https://www.unitedwaydm.org/

 

Contact Hunter Parnell:                                

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