16 min listen
The Right to An Attorney
FromThroughline
ratings:
Length:
51 minutes
Released:
Feb 29, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Most of us take it for granted that if we're ever in court and we can't afford a lawyer, the court will provide one for us. And in fact, the right to an attorney is written into the Constitution's sixth amendment. But for most of U.S. history, it was more of a nice-to-have — something you got if you could, but that many people went without. Today, though, public defenders represent up to 80% of people charged with crimes. So what changed? Today on the show: how public defenders became the backbone of our criminal legal system, and what might need to change for them to truly serve everyone.To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Released:
Feb 29, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
High Crimes And Misdemeanors: This week we return to 1868 and the first presidential impeachment in U.S. history — President Andrew Johnson. by Throughline