Can America's criminal justice system be fixed? Former public defender explores how

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Welcome in San Diego. It's Jade Hindman. On this episode of KPBS Midday Edition, a new book looks at youth who've encountered the justice system and the collaboration required to get them out and on to a better life. This is KPBS Midday Edition, connecting our communities through conversation. When you think of America's criminal courts, what comes to mind? Well, for many, the idea of the criminal justice system might be shaped by what they've seen on television or movies. But for America's public defenders, they see the ins and outs of the court system every day. And while they work within the institution, they're often fighting against it and the powers that be. Attorney Emelyn Galvin Almanza knows the system well and how it can touch nearly every aspect of a defendant's life. Her book, The Price of Mercy, draws from her own experience as a former public defender, revealing what goes on behind the scenes of America's criminal courts and presenting solutions that could lead to, in her view, true justice. This week, she'll be in San Diego to discuss the book with Pillars of the Community, a local nonprofit serving communities in southeastern San Diego. The event will also honor public defenders in the region. Emily is also the co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit Partners for Justice, which aims to support public defenders across the country. She joins me now. Emily, welcome to the show.

Thank you so much for having me. I'm so thrilled to be here.

Glad to have you here. This is a really important discussion. And before you became a public defender, you were a young person who needed someone in the court system to see your future. What happened and what did Judge Leslie Harris understand about you that's often missed when so many youth encounter the system?

Yeah, I mean, indeed, before I was an attorney, I was a kid who needed to be defended. I went through a really rough period in my teenage years and ended up standing in front of a judge, not knowing what was gonna happen next. And that judge was Judge Leslie Harris. I should acknowledge that I walked into that courtroom with a lot of other privilege, right? I had the privilege of the only white kid in the entire courtroom. I had really involved parents who were doing their best. I had, a great education. But most importantly, I had a judge looking at me who was himself really unusual. He had come to the bench