About the book
Every day, in courtrooms around the United States, thousands of criminal defendants are represented by public defenders — lawyers provided by the government for those who cannot afford private counsel. Though often taken for granted, the modern American public defender has a surprisingly contentious history — one that offers insights not only about the “carceral state,” but also about the contours and compromises of twentieth-century liberalism.
First gaining appeal amidst the Progressive Era fervor for court reform, the public defender idea was swiftly quashed by elite corporate lawyers who believed the legal profession should remain independent from the state. Public defenders took hold in some localities but not yet as a nationwide standard. By the 1960s, views had shifted. Gideon v. Wainwright enshrined the right to counsel into law and the legal profession mobilized to expand the ranks of public defenders nationwide. Yet within a few years, lawyers had already diagnosed a “crisis” of underfunded, overworked defenders providing inadequate representation — a crisis that persists today. This book shows how these conditions, often attributed to recent fiscal emergencies, have deep roots, and it chronicles the intertwined histories of constitutional doctrine, big philanthropy, professional in-fighting, and Cold War culture that made public defenders ubiquitous but embattled figures in American courtrooms.
Editions of Free Justice
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469656021
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469661650
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469656045
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890857491
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469656038
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890857484
Read an Excerpt
Every day, in courtrooms around the United States, thousands of criminal defendants are represented by public defenders — lawyers provided by the government for those who cannot afford private counsel. Though often taken for granted, the modern American public defender has a surprisingly contentious history — one that offers insights not only about the “carceral state,” but also about the contours and compromises of twentieth-century liberalism.
First gaining appeal amidst the Progressive Era fervor for court reform, the public defender idea was swiftly quashed by elite corporate lawyers who believed the legal profession should remain independent from the state. Public defenders took hold in some localities but not yet as a nationwide standard. By the 1960s, views had shifted. Gideon v. Wainwright enshrined the right to counsel into law and the legal profession mobilized to expand the ranks of public defenders nationwide. Yet within a few years, lawyers had already diagnosed a “crisis” of underfunded, overworked defenders providing inadequate representation — a crisis that persists today. This book shows how these conditions, often attributed to recent fiscal emergencies, have deep roots, and it chronicles the intertwined histories of constitutional doctrine, big philanthropy, professional in-fighting, and Cold War culture that made public defenders ubiquitous but embattled figures in American courtrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Free Justice about?
Every day, in courtrooms around the United States, thousands of criminal defendants are represented by public defenders — lawyers provided by the government for those who cannot afford private counsel. Though often taken for granted, the modern American public defender has a surprisingly contentious history — one that offers insights not only about the “carceral state,” but also about the contours and compromises of twentieth-century liberalism.
First gaining appeal amidst the Progressive Era fervor for court reform, the public defender idea was swiftly quashed by elite corporate lawyers who believed the legal profession should remain independent from the state. Public defenders took hold in some localities but not yet as a nationwide standard. By the 1960s, views had shifted. Gideon v. Wainwright enshrined the right to counsel into law and the legal profession mobilized to expand the ranks of public defenders nationwide. Yet within a few years, lawyers had already diagnosed a “crisis” of underfunded, overworked defenders providing inadequate representation — a crisis that persists today. This book shows how these conditions, often attributed to recent fiscal emergencies, have deep roots, and it chronicles the intertwined histories of constitutional doctrine, big philanthropy, professional in-fighting, and Cold War culture that made public defenders ubiquitous but embattled figures in American courtrooms.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Free Justice?
Law > Jurisprudence and general issues > Legal history
Where can I read a sample of Free Justice?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469656021
How long is Free Justice and how many pages does it have?
Free Justice has 286 page(s)
Is Free Justice part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Justice, Power, and Politics
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Free Justice?
Sara Mayeux
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Free Justice is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469656021) and paperback(ISBN 9781469661650) and ebook(ISBN 9781469656045) and ebook(ISBN 9798890857491) and ebook(ISBN 9781469656038) and pdf(ISBN 9798890857484)
Where can I buy Free Justice online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Free Justice from below
Where can I buy Free Justice?