As public defenders, our primary playing field is the court room. We advocate for our clients on an individual basis and try to obtain good outcomes in a bad system. But, there is another playing field that public defenders should enter: legislatures. There, we can work to improve the bad system as a whole, helping more people. Politics are fraught, but it is incumbent on us all to change this system in whatever way we can, which will ultimately help the people we represent.
Managing Attorney, State Appellate Defender Office
Jessica Zimbelman is Managing Attorney with the State Appellate Defender Office, representing people statewide as they appeal their convictions and sentences. She has appeared before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court multiple times, as well as trial courts throughout... Read More →
Public defenders are facing a flood of video and audio discovery—from bodycams, to surveillance, jail calls, and all kinds of recordings. We’ve built AI-powered tools that help you manage it all: transcribe, search, summarize, compare angles, ask free-form questions, and create video exhibits.
When a public defender recently saw some of these tools, he remarked, “I hope the DAs don’t have this.” It got us thinking—what if public defenders actually had better technology?
In this Spark, we’ll show you how we’re working to make that vision real, including a preview of powerful new tools in development. We’ll also launch a new program offering pro bono AI support for high-impact cases where new technology could make the difference.
As a public defender, your clients count on you to be in their corner. Today, many cases are won or lost on the basis of digital evidence. Body-worn camera footage. Surveillance video. Interrogation video. Recorded conversations. Transcripts. Even drone footage. However, you are forced to spend inordinate amounts of time collecting, reviewing, scanning, copying, uploading, transcribing and trying to make sense of evidence. With modern Digital Evidence Management (DEMS) technology, you can mount a more effective legal defense on behalf of your clients. In this session, we’ll discuss how to remove the manual processes and worries of managing digital evidence, so you can focus on building a successful defense, and get to the truth faster.
Changemakers Journal - Be sure to download your Changemakers Journal. Use this fillable pdf to make your notes, work through planning steps, and keep track of all the things you know you'll want to remember.
Session Reports -- These are used to inform the next round of open space sessions. Please complete your session report at the end of your current sessions so that we have enough time to synthesize them back into reports you can reference.
Completed Reports -- We'll post submitted reports here before the next round of open space sessions, so be sure to submit your reports as soon as the session is over.
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4 Principles
Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened
Whoever comes are the right people
Whenever it starts is the right time
Whenever it's over, it's over
Remember, the law of personal agency. You don't need to stay where you start.
NAPD Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator, and Owner,, Transform Legal Mitigation Consultancy, National Association for Public Defense
Stephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia, Colorado, and West Virginia. She is currently the Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program, and... Read More →
Executive Director, National Association for Public Defense (NAPD)
Lori earned her master’s Degree in clinical social work (University of Maryland SSW) and her B.A. in Social Work from Morgan State University. Lori has over 25 years of clinical, training, and organizational development experience, which includes program development, program management... Read More →
Public defenders face unique challenges in navigating the expanding landscape of digital evidence and adapting to rapidly evolving technology. In this session, This session will highlight how Axon is leveraging AI to develop solutions that enhance efficiency and support decision-making, all while maintaining a steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical integrity. We’ll also discuss the potential risks associated with AI, and how Axon’s approach is designed to safeguard against them. Join us to learn how Axon’s AI-powered innovations can help public defenders manage the complexities of modern justice while preserving the core values of fairness and equity.
This discussion sheds light on the justice system's blind spots through a family’s experience navigating the system. It offers a firsthand look at where the system breaks down—and how we can reimagine and transform the system into one that truly delivers justice.
Chief Advocacy & Engagement Manager, Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth
Crystal joined the CFSY in April 2019. She bridges the work of several departments working to understand the experiences of individuals post-release, while developing a range of supports and resources to help them thrive. Crystal brings to this role a passion for criminal justice... Read More →
Public Defender, Los Angeles Public Defender Office
In October 2018, Ricardo Daniel García was sworn in as Los Angeles County’s first Latino Public Defender.García received his Juris Doctorate in 1995 from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, and his Bachelor of Art in Politics in 1991 from the University... Read More →
