Today, Hunter was by the Public Defender for the state of Idaho, Eric Fredericksen. Over the past two years, Public Defense in Idaho underwent a massive overhaul. For decades, the state has operated a county-based system that functioned with serious justice by geography problems, but with pressure from ACLU lawsuits, the state needed to change. So, they finally made the decision to transition to a state wide, state funded system. The transition, however, has been anything but smooth. Eric and Hunter discuss that transition, and why Eric is optimistic about the future given the strong support from the legislature and Governor in this first budget cycle.

Guest

Eric Fredericksen, The State Public Defender, Idaho

Resources:

Idaho Public Defender Reports

Idaho Public Defense Workload Study

https://www.boisestate.edu/sps-ipi/our-research/idaho-public-defense-workload-study/

News about the Transition

https://isb.idaho.gov/blog/the-state-public-defender-act-continuing-the-journey-of-public-defense-in-idaho-by-jordan-s-crane/

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/10/15/concerns-raised-about-idahos-new-public-defense-system-after-exodus-in-public-defenders/

https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/09/16/public-defense-changeover-raises-concerns-for-some/

https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/eric-fredericksen-to-lead-new-office-of-the-state-public-defender/

https://www.mtexpress.com/news/blaine_county/public-defense-transition-gets-off-to-rocky-start/article_1ac2a83a-8cc2-11ef-9f78-6ffe80dd4216.html

https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2024/10/23/judge-demands-answers-from-idaho-state-public-defender-after-defendants-left-without-counsel/

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article297887643.html

https://dailymontanan.com/2025/01/06/headed-for-a-disaster-aclu-asks-idaho-supreme-court-to-order-public-defense-system-reform/

News About Death Penalty in Idaho

https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/idaho-governor-signs-legislation-authorizing-firing-squad-as-states-primary-execution-method

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2025/03/17/idaho-house-unanimously-passes-child-sex-abuse-death-penalty-bill/

https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-littles-statement-on-death-penalty-for-pedophiles/

Contact Hunter Parnell:

[email protected]

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