How South Dakota is Fixing its Public Defense Crisis w/Aditi Goel

Nov 6

Today, Hunter is joined once again by Aditi Goel of the Sixth Amendment Center. This time, we discuss their recent report about Public Defense in South Dakota. Like many county based, county funded Public Defense systems, South Dakota is plagued with underfunding, under staffing, lack of independence, and cost saving practices that make Public Defense ineffective. Yet, this episode has a ray of hope because for the first time in its history, the state appears poised to radically reimagine how it funds, supports, and organizes Public Defense.

Guests:

Aditi Goel, Deputy Director, Sixth Amendment Center

Resources:

Read the Report Here:

https://6ac.org/new-6ac-report-finds-south-dakota-counties-are-at-a-breaking-point-and-need-state-oversight/

New South Dakota Public Defense Commission

https://www.sdpb.org/crime-courts/2024-10-07/public-defense-challenges-highlighted-as-commission-begins-work

https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24943/265191

Task Force Report

https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/committees/Indigent/ILSTaskForceFinalReportRecommendations.pdf

Contact Hunter Parnell:

Publicdefenseless@gmail.com