38: Michigan Public Defense w/ Kristen Staley

Ready for a refreshing dose of positivity?

In this episode, Hunter speaks with Kristen Staley, the Executive Director of the Michigan Indigent Defense.

Kristen maps out the complexities of a committee system, sharing the unique challenges and benefits that having individual offices hold. It turns out that the quality of services varies from county to county.

She'll also explain how she is working in the legislature to transform the future of Michigan public defense. Kristen has many goals for the state that she lays out in this episode.

Overall, Kristen conveys an attitude of hope and excitement for the future. She is certain that Michigan indigent defense will change for the better.

Key Topics and Takeaways:

• Kristen's background and how she got into Michigan public defense. [10:53]
• Handling cases of individuals 18-25. [15:26]
• The Michigan Model of public defense. [24:08]
• Michigan's indigency standards. [36:17]
• The commission and state's response to the Sixth Amendment Center reports. [39:39]
• How Kristen works with the legislature. [44:35]
• The difference between being an advocate and a policy maker. [48:39]
• Kristen's goals for Michigan indigent defense. [59:43]

Guest:

Kristen Staley, Executive Director Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

Resources:

Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

Race to the Bottom NLADA Report

2018 Wayne County Report

2019 Wayne County Report

Prof Eve Primus Observations on Michigan Court Rooms

Memorable Quotes:

"Change can happen and will happen if you keep on pushing." (10:23, Hunter)

"18 is not a magic number, that there is science and there is research and youth are not adults." (17:07, Kristen)

"The criminal justice system, just like any other type of system, is run by humans. Right? And we all have these biases, no matter what it is, but we have to be able to understand and recognize them." (18:21, Kristen)

"I think that having such a large group of stakeholders beyond the commission helps ensure that we're actually hearing all the voices and makes sure that we're not forgetting things." (35:15, Kristen)

"I think there's a lot of very good activists who push these types of things forward, but not every great activist is also a great policy person. I think that's very different. And not every great policy person is a great activist." (51:47, Hunter)

"Public defenders care about this work. At the end of the day they are advocates." (1:04:35, Kristen)

Contact Hunter Parnell:

[email protected]

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